EP1223941B1 - Therapeutic treatments for blood cell deficiencies using sreroids - Google Patents

Therapeutic treatments for blood cell deficiencies using sreroids Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1223941B1
EP1223941B1 EP00970511A EP00970511A EP1223941B1 EP 1223941 B1 EP1223941 B1 EP 1223941B1 EP 00970511 A EP00970511 A EP 00970511A EP 00970511 A EP00970511 A EP 00970511A EP 1223941 B1 EP1223941 B1 EP 1223941B1
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optionally substituted
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compound
groups
ester
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German (de)
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French (fr)
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EP1223941A2 (en
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James Martin Frincke
Christopher L. Reading
Patrick T. Prendergast
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Harbor Biosciences Inc
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Hollis Eden Pharmaceuticals Inc
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K31/00—Medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients
    • A61K31/56—Compounds containing cyclopenta[a]hydrophenanthrene ring systems; Derivatives thereof, e.g. steroids
    • A61K31/565—Compounds containing cyclopenta[a]hydrophenanthrene ring systems; Derivatives thereof, e.g. steroids not substituted in position 17 beta by a carbon atom, e.g. estrane, estradiol
    • A61K31/568—Compounds containing cyclopenta[a]hydrophenanthrene ring systems; Derivatives thereof, e.g. steroids not substituted in position 17 beta by a carbon atom, e.g. estrane, estradiol substituted in positions 10 and 13 by a chain having at least one carbon atom, e.g. androstanes, e.g. testosterone
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K31/00—Medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients
    • A61K31/56—Compounds containing cyclopenta[a]hydrophenanthrene ring systems; Derivatives thereof, e.g. steroids
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K31/00—Medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients
    • A61K31/56—Compounds containing cyclopenta[a]hydrophenanthrene ring systems; Derivatives thereof, e.g. steroids
    • A61K31/565—Compounds containing cyclopenta[a]hydrophenanthrene ring systems; Derivatives thereof, e.g. steroids not substituted in position 17 beta by a carbon atom, e.g. estrane, estradiol
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K31/00—Medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients
    • A61K31/56—Compounds containing cyclopenta[a]hydrophenanthrene ring systems; Derivatives thereof, e.g. steroids
    • A61K31/565—Compounds containing cyclopenta[a]hydrophenanthrene ring systems; Derivatives thereof, e.g. steroids not substituted in position 17 beta by a carbon atom, e.g. estrane, estradiol
    • A61K31/568—Compounds containing cyclopenta[a]hydrophenanthrene ring systems; Derivatives thereof, e.g. steroids not substituted in position 17 beta by a carbon atom, e.g. estrane, estradiol substituted in positions 10 and 13 by a chain having at least one carbon atom, e.g. androstanes, e.g. testosterone
    • A61K31/5685—Compounds containing cyclopenta[a]hydrophenanthrene ring systems; Derivatives thereof, e.g. steroids not substituted in position 17 beta by a carbon atom, e.g. estrane, estradiol substituted in positions 10 and 13 by a chain having at least one carbon atom, e.g. androstanes, e.g. testosterone having an oxo group in position 17, e.g. androsterone
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K38/00—Medicinal preparations containing peptides
    • A61K38/16—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
    • A61K38/17—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
    • A61K38/18—Growth factors; Growth regulators
    • A61K38/1816—Erythropoietin [EPO]
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K38/00—Medicinal preparations containing peptides
    • A61K38/16—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
    • A61K38/17—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
    • A61K38/19—Cytokines; Lymphokines; Interferons
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P13/00—Drugs for disorders of the urinary system
    • A61P13/12—Drugs for disorders of the urinary system of the kidneys
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P7/00—Drugs for disorders of the blood or the extracellular fluid
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P7/00—Drugs for disorders of the blood or the extracellular fluid
    • A61P7/06—Antianaemics
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07J—STEROIDS
    • C07J1/00—Normal steroids containing carbon, hydrogen, halogen or oxygen, not substituted in position 17 beta by a carbon atom, e.g. estrane, androstane
    • C07J1/0003—Androstane derivatives
    • C07J1/0011—Androstane derivatives substituted in position 17 by a keto group
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07J—STEROIDS
    • C07J1/00—Normal steroids containing carbon, hydrogen, halogen or oxygen, not substituted in position 17 beta by a carbon atom, e.g. estrane, androstane
    • C07J1/0003—Androstane derivatives
    • C07J1/0018—Androstane derivatives substituted in position 17 beta, not substituted in position 17 alfa
    • C07J1/0022—Androstane derivatives substituted in position 17 beta, not substituted in position 17 alfa the substituent being an OH group free esterified or etherified
    • C07J1/0025—Esters
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07J—STEROIDS
    • C07J17/00—Normal steroids containing carbon, hydrogen, halogen or oxygen, having an oxygen-containing hetero ring not condensed with the cyclopenta(a)hydrophenanthrene skeleton
    • C07J17/005—Glycosides
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07J—STEROIDS
    • C07J73/00—Steroids in which the cyclopenta[a]hydrophenanthrene skeleton has been modified by substitution of one or two carbon atoms by hetero atoms
    • C07J73/001—Steroids in which the cyclopenta[a]hydrophenanthrene skeleton has been modified by substitution of one or two carbon atoms by hetero atoms by one hetero atom
    • C07J73/003—Steroids in which the cyclopenta[a]hydrophenanthrene skeleton has been modified by substitution of one or two carbon atoms by hetero atoms by one hetero atom by oxygen as hetero atom

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a use of a compound for the preparation of a medicament for the prophylaxis or treatment of neutropenia and thrombocytopenia in a human or primate subject, in accordance with claim 1.
  • Hemopoiesis is the formation and development of the various types of blood cells and their progenitor cells. Mature cells are found in circulation or tissues such as the lymph nodes or the thymus. Many of the stem cells that give rise to mature forms reside in the bone marrow, although some may circulate in the blood for some time. Clinical blood cell deficiencies such as thrombocytopenia, neutropenia or erythropenia can arise from causes such as impaired hemopoiesis or abnormal loss or destruction of mature or immature blood cells.
  • TP Thrombocytopenia
  • Impaired production can result from causes such as chemotherapies or radiation therapies.
  • Abnormal loss of circulating platelets is often associated with autoreactive antibodies that bind to platelets and reduce their life span. These underlying causes give rise to the various clinical forms of TP, such as autoimmune neonatal TP, immune thrombocytopenic purpra, radiation induced TP, chemotherapy induced TP and amegakaryocitic TP.
  • Treatments include administering one or more of glucocorticoid steroids (e.g., prednisone, prednisolone), human IgG antibodies, anti-Rh(D) + antibodies for Rh(D) + patients, an androgen such as danazol, vinca alkaloids (e.g., vincristine, vinblastine), thrombopoietin and immunosuppresants (e.g., azathioprine, cyclophosphamide).
  • Splenectomy is also indicated, for example when first line treatments fail.
  • the goal of treatment is typically to increase platelet counts to 20,000 mm -3 or more typically to at least about 50,000 mm -3 and to maintain these levels.
  • NP Neutropenia
  • NP Neutropenia
  • Impaired neutrophil production can be acquired from, e.g., treatment with a cytotoxic or cytostatic drug, chemotherapy, radiation therapy or an autoimmune response.
  • the abnormal loss of circulating neutrophils in autoimmunity is associated with autoreactive antibodies that bind to the cells and reduce their life span.
  • NP and treatment options have been described. See, e.g., Hematology - Basic Principles and Practice, 3rd edition, R. Hoffman, E.J. Benz Jr. et al., editors, Churchill Livingstone, New York, 2000 (see, e.g., Chapters 19, 41, 51, 79, 134 and 137 at pages 297-331, 720-762, 939-979, 1443-1500, 2220-2248 and 2257-2263).
  • U.S. patents 4,908,358 and 4,902,681 describe the capacity of compounds such as 5 ⁇ -pregnan-3,20-dione, cortexolone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone and 16 ⁇ -methylprogesterone to inhibit the clearance of antibody-coated cells from circulation in disorders such as immune thrombocytopenic purpura or immune hemolytic anemia.
  • U.S. patent 5,859,000 describes the capacity of compounds such as 3 ⁇ ,7 ⁇ -dihydroxyandrost-5-ene-17-one and 3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrost-5-ene-17-one to reduce mast cell mediated allergic reactions.
  • U.S. patent 5,763,433 and PCT publication WO 96/35428 describe the capacity of compounds related to dehydroepiandrosterone and 16 ⁇ -halodehydroepiandrosterone to modulate immune responses and to treat conditions certain immune related conditions such as systemic lupus erythematosus.
  • U.S. patents 5,925,630 , 5,939,545 and 5,962,443 describe the capacity of 19-nur-pregnane steroids, 3 ⁇ -hydroxy-5a-pregnan-20-one and related steroids to modulate certain neurological activities such as hypothalamic function and GABA receptor activity.
  • IL-6 interleukin-6
  • EPO erythropoietin
  • TPO thrombopoietin
  • IL-6 Recombinant IL-6 was shown in model systems to affect platelet counts in peripheral circulation, e.g., Stahl et al., Blood 1991 78:1467-1475 , although significant toxicities are associated with its administration to humans, e.g., Andus et al., FEBS Lett. 1987 221:18 , J. Gauldie et al., P.N.A.S. U.S.A. 1987 84:7251-7255 , T. Geiger et al., Eur. J. Immunol. 1988 18:717-721 .
  • the IL-6 molecule has been described in detail, e.g., publication no. WO 88/00206 .
  • Administration of proteins is typically expensive, given factors such as the complexity of producing pharmaceutical grade material.
  • U.S. patent 4,602,008 discloses erythropoietic activity of 16-alkylated-7-hydroxy-5 ⁇ -androstane-3-ol-17-one and its derivatives in mice and chicken.
  • the present invention provides therapeutic compounds to treat hemopoiesis deficiencies and disorders such as thrombocytopenia and neutropenia.
  • the invention is thus useful to reduce one or more symptoms associated with any of these conditions.
  • the use of the invention agents and uses can be combined with one or more conventional treatments for these disorders.
  • the invention provides a use according to claim 1 and a compound in accordance with claim 10 to enhance hemopoiesis in a human or primate subject in need thereof.
  • Related aspects include a method to enhance thrombopoiesis, myelopoiesis or erythropoiesis in a subject by administering to the subject, or delivering to the subject's tissues, an effective amount of a formula 1 compound.
  • excipient means a component or an ingredient that is acceptable in the sense of being compatible with the other ingredients of invention compositions or formulations and not overly deleterious to the patient or animal to which the formulation is to be administered.
  • excipients include solids and liquids, such as lactose, sucrose, starch, microcrystalline cellulose, cellulose, benzyl benzoate, cottonseed oil, N,N-dimethylacetamide, a C 2-12 alcohol (e.g., ethanol), glycerol, peanut oil, a polyethylene glycol (“PEG”), vitamin E, poppyseed oil, propylene glycol, safflower oil, sesame oil, soybean oil and vegetable oil.
  • Excipients comprise one or more components typically used in the pharmaceutical formulation arts, e.g., fillers, binders, disintegrants and lubricants.
  • a "subject” means a human or animal. Usually the animal is a vertebrate such as a primate, rodent, domestic animal or game animal. Primates include chimpanzees, cynomologous monkeys, spider monkeys, and macaques, e.g., Rhesus . Rodents include mice, rats, woodchucks, ferrets, rabbits and hamsters. Domestic and game animals include cows, horses, pigs, deer, bison, buffalo, felines, e.g., domestic cat, canines, e.g., dog, avian species, e.g., chicken, emu, ostrich, and fish, e.g., trout, catfish and salmon. Subject includes any subset of the foregoing, e.g., all of the above, but excluding one or more groups or species such as humans, primates or rodents.
  • a formula 1 compound(s) means that one or more than one formula 1 compound is used or is present, typically 1, 2, 3 or 4. Generally the formula 1 compound is present in a composition or formulation that contains a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
  • Alkyl as used here means linked normal, secondary, tertiary or cyclic carbon atoms, i.e., linear, branched or cyclic.
  • the number of carbon atoms in an alkyl group or moiety is 1 to about 20, unless otherwise specified, e.g., C 1-8 alkyl means an alkyl moiety containing 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 carbon atoms.
  • Examples include methyl, ethyl, 1-propyl ( n -propyl), 2-propyl ( i -propyl, -CH(CH 3 ) 2 ), 1-butyl ( n -butyl), 2-methyl-1-propyl ( i -butyl, -CH 2 CH(CH 3 ) 2 ), 2-butyl ( s -butyl, -CH(CH 3 )CH 2 CH 3 ), 2-methyl-2-propyl ( t -butyl, -C(CH 3 ) 3 ), 1-pentyl ( n -pentyl), 2-pentyl (-CH(CH 3 )CH 2 CH 2 CH 3 ), 3-pentyl (-CH(CH 2 CH 3 ) 2 ), 2-methyl-2-butyl (-C(CH 3 ) 2 CH 2 CH 3 ), 3-methyl-2-butyl (-CH(CH 3 )CH(CH 3 ) 2 ), 3-methyl-1-butyl (-CH
  • the number of carbon atoms in an alkenyl group or moiety is 2 to about 20, unless otherwise specified, e.g., C 1-8 alkenyl means an alkenyl moiety containing 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 carbon atoms.
  • Alkynyl means linked normal, secondary, tertiary or cyclic carbon atoms where one or more triple bonds (-C ⁇ C-) are present, typically 1, 2 or 3, usually 1.
  • the number of carbon atoms in an alkynyl group or moiety is 2 to about 20, unless otherwise specified, e.g., C 1-8 alkynyl means an alkynyl moiety containing 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 carbon atoms.
  • Aryl means phenyl or naphthyl.
  • Substituted alkyl means an alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl group that has a substituent(s) linked to a carbon atom or substituent(s) that interrupt a carbon atom chain.
  • Substituents include ethers (-O-), ketones (-C(O)-), -OR PR , -C(O)OR PR , -C(O)O-, -C(S)OR PR , -C(S)O-, -OC(O)-, - C(O)H, -OCH 2 -, -OCH 2 CH 2 -, -OCH 2 O-, -OCH 2 CH 2 O-, -NR PR -, -N(R PR ) 2 , - NHR PR , -NHC(O)-, -CH 2 -NR PR -, -CH 2 -NHR PR , -CH 2 -NHC(O)-, -C(O)NH-, - C(O)NHR PR , -OC(O)NRPR-, -OC(O)NHR PR , -NR PR C(O)NR PR -, -NR PR C(O)NHR
  • Substituents are independently chosen when more than one is present.
  • Alkenyl and alkynyl groups that comprise a substituent(s) are typically substituted at a carbon that is one or more methylene moiety removed from the double bond, e.g., separated at least by one, two or more -CH 2 - moieties.
  • Heterocycle or “heterocyclic” means by way of example and not limitation the heterocycles described in Paquette, Leo A.; “Principles of Modem Heterocyclic Chemistry” (W. A. Benjamin, New York, 1968), particularly Chapters 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 9 ; “ The Chemistry of Heterocyclic Compounds, A series of Monographs” (John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1950 to present), in particular Volumes 13, 14, 16, 19, and 28 ; and J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1960, 82:5566 .
  • heterocycles include by way of example and not limitation pyridyl, thiazolyl, tetrahydrothiophenyl, sulfur oxidized tetrahydrothiophenyl, pyrimidinyl, furanyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, tetrazolyl, benzofuranyl, thianaphthalenyl, indolyl, indolenyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, benzimidazolyl, piperidinyl, 4-piperidonyl, pyrrolidinyl, 2-pyrrolidonyl, pyrrolinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydroquinolinyl, tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, decahydroquinolinyl, octahydroisoquinolinyl, azocinyl, triazinyl
  • carbon bonded heterocycles are bonded at position 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 of a pyridine, position 3, 4, 5, or 6 of a pyridazine, position 2, 4, 5, or 6 of a pyrimidine, position 2, 3, 5, or 6 of a pyrazine, position 2, 3, 4, or 5 of a furan, tetrahydrofuran, thiofuran, thiophene, pyrrole or tetrahydropyrrole, position 2, 4, or 5 of an oxazole, imidazole or thiazole, position 3, 4, or 5 of an isoxazole, pyrazole, or isothiazole, position 2 or 3 of an aziridine, position 2, 3, or 4 of an azetidine, position 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 of a quinoline or position 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 of an isoquinoline.
  • carbon bonded heterocycles include 2-pyridyl, 3-pyridyl, 4-pyridyl, 5-pyridyl, 6-pyridyl, 3-pyridazinyl, 4-pyridazinyl, 5-pyridazinyl, 6-pyridazinyl, 2-pyrimidinyl, 4-pyrimidinyl, 5--pyrimidinyl, 6-pyrimidinyl, 2-pyrazinyl, 3-pyrazinyl, 5-pyrazinyl, 6-pyrazinyl, 2-thiazolyl, 4-thiazolyl, or 5-thiazolyl.
  • nitrogen bonded heterocycles are bonded at position 1 of an aziridine, azetidine, pyrrole, pyrrolidine, 2-pyrroline, 3-pyrroline, imidazole, imidazolidine, 2-imidazoline, 3-imidazoline, pyrazole, pyrazoline, 2-pyrazoline, 3-pyrazoline, piperidine, piperazine, indole, indoline, 1 H-indazole, position 2 of a isoindole, or isoindoline, position 4 of a morpholine, and position 9 of a carbazole, or ⁇ -carboline.
  • nitrogen bonded heterocycles include 1-aziridyl, 1-azetedyl, 1-pyrrolyl, 1-imidazolyl, 1-pyrazolyl, and 1-piperidinyl.
  • Heteroaryl means an aromatic ring or two or more fused rings that contain one or more aromatic rings where the ring or fused rings comprise 1, 2, 3 or more heteroatoms, usually oxygen (-O-), nitrogen (-NX-) or sulfur (-S-) where X is -H, a protecting group or C 1-6 alkyl, usually -H. Examples are as described for heterocycle.
  • Alcohol as used herein means an alcohol that comprises a C 2-12 alkyl moiety substituted at a hydrogen atom with one hydroxyl group. Alcohols include ethanol, n -propanol, i -propanol, n-butanol, i -butanol, s-butanol, t -butanol, n -pentanol, i- pentanol, n -hexanol, cyclohexanol, n -heptanol, n -octanol, n -nonanol and n -decanol.
  • the carbon atoms in alcohols can be straight, branched or cyclic. Alcohol includes any subset of the foregoing, e.g., C 2-4 alcohols (alcohols having 2, 3 or 4 carbon atoms).
  • Halogen means fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine.
  • Protecting group means a moiety that prevents the atom to which it is linked from participating in unwanted reactions.
  • R PR may be hydrogen or a protecting group for the oxygen atom found in a hydroxyl
  • R PR may be hydrogen or a carboxyl protecting group
  • R PR may be hydrogen or a protecting group for sulfur in thiols for instance
  • R PR may be hydrogen or a nitrogen atom protecting group for primary or secondary amines.
  • Hydroxyl, amine and other reactive groups are found in formula 1 compounds at, e.g., R 1 or R 2 . These groups may require protection against reactions taking place elsewhere in the molecule.
  • the protecting groups for oxygen, sulfur or nitrogen atoms are usually used to prevent unwanted reactions with electrophilic compounds, such as acylating used, e.g., in steroid chemistry.
  • esters means a moiety that comprises a -C(O)-O- structure that is bonded to the steroid nucleus.
  • esters as used here comprise an organic moiety containing about 1-50 carbon atoms (e.g., about 2-20 carbon atoms) and 0 to about 10 independently selected heteroatoms (e.g., O, S, N, P, Si), where the organic moiety is bonded to a formula 1 steroid nucleus at, e.g., R 1 -R 6 , R 10 , R 15 , R 17 or R 18 , through the -C(O)-O- structure, e.g., organic moiety-C(O)-O-steroid or organic moiety-O-C(O)-steroid.
  • the organic moiety usually comprises one or more of any of the organic groups described above, e.g., C 1-20 alkyl moieties, C 2-20 alkenyl moieties, C 2-20 alkynyl moieties, aryl moieties, C 2-9 heterocycles or substituted derivatives of any of these, e.g., comprising 1, 2, 3, 4 or more substituents, where each substituent is independently chosen.
  • substitutions are independently chosen.
  • the organic moiety includes compounds defined by the R 4 variable.
  • the organic moieties exclude obviously unstable moieties, e.g., -O-O-, except where such unstable moieties are transient species that one can use to make a compound with sufficient chemical stability for one or more of the uses described herein.
  • the substitutions listed above are typically substituents that one can use to replace one or more carbon atoms, e.g., -O- or -C(O)-, or one or more hydrogen atom, e.g., halogen, -NH 2 or -OH.
  • Thioester means a moiety that comprises a -C(S)-O- structure.
  • thioesters as used here comprise an organic moiety containing about 1-50 carbon atoms (e.g., about 2-20 carbon atoms) and 0 to about 10 independently selected heteroatoms (e.g., O, S, N, P, Si), where the organic moiety is bonded to a formula 1 steroid nucleus at, e.g., R 1 -R 6 , R 10 , R 15 , R 17 or R 18 , through the -C(S)-O- structure, e.g., organic moiety-C(S)-O-steroid or organic moiety-O-C(S)-steroid.
  • the organic moiety is as described above for esters.
  • Thioacetal means a moiety that comprises a -C(O)-S- structure.
  • thioacetals as used here comprise an organic moiety containing about 1-50 carbon atoms (e.g., about 2-20 carbon atoms) and 0 to about 10 independently selected heteroatoms (e.g., O, S, N, P, Si), where the organic moiety is bonded to a formula 1 steroid nucleus at one or more of, e.g., R 1 -R 6 , R 10 , R 15 , R 17 or R 18 , through the -C(O)-S- structure, e.g., organic moiety-C(O)-S-steroid or organic moiety-S-C(O)-steroid.
  • the organic moiety is as described above for esters.
  • Phosphoester or "phosphate ester” means a moiety that comprises a -O-P(OR PR )(O)-O- structure where R PR is hydrogen (-H), a protecting group or an organic moiety as described for esters.
  • phosphoesters as used here comprise a hydrogen atom, a protecting group or an organic moiety containing about 1-50 carbon atoms and 0 to about 10 independently selected heteroatoms (e.g., O, S, N, P, Si) linked to a formula 1 steroid nucleus at one or more of, e.g., R 1 -R 6 , R 10 , R 15 , R 17 or R 18 , through the -O-P(O)(O)-O- structure, e.g., organic moiety-OP(O)(OH)-O-steroid.
  • the organic moiety is as described above for esters.
  • Phosphothioester means a moiety that comprises a -O-P(SR PR )(O)-O-structure where R PR is -H, a protecting group or an organic moiety as described for esters.
  • phosphothioesters as used here comprise a hydrogen atom, a protecting group or an organic moiety containing about 1-50 carbon atoms and 0 to about 10 independently selected heteroatoms (e.g., O, S, N, P, Si) linked to a formula 1 steroid nucleus at one or more of, e.g., R 1 -R 6 , R 10 , R 15 , R 17 or R 18 , through the -O-P(O)(O)-O- structure, e.g., organic moiety-O-P(O)(SH)-O-steroid.
  • the organic moiety is as described above for esters.
  • Phosphonoester means a moiety that comprises a -P(OR PR )(O)-O- structure where R PR is -H, a protecting group or an organic moiety as described for esters.
  • phosphonoesters as used here comprise a hydrogen atom, a protecting group or an organic moiety containing about 1-50 carbon atoms and 0 to about 10 independently selected heteroatoms (e.g., O, S, N, P, Si) linked to a formula 1 steroid nucleus at one or more of, e.g., R 1 -R 6 , R 10 , R 15 , R 17 or R 18 , through the - P(OR PR )(O)-O- structure, i.e., organic moiety-P(OR PR )(O)-O-steroid or steroid-P(OR PR )(O)-O-organic moiety.
  • the organic moiety is as described above for esters.
  • Sulfate ester means a moiety that comprises a -O-S(O)(O)-O- structure.
  • sulfate esters as used here comprise a hydrogen atom, a protecting group or an organic moiety containing about 1-50 carbon atoms and 0 to about 10 independently selected heteroatoms (e.g., O, S, N, P, Si) linked to a formula 1 steroid nucleus at one or more of, e.g., R 1 -R 6 , R 10 , R 15 , R 17 or R 18 , through the -O-S(O)(O)-O- structure, e.g., organic moiety-O-S(O)(O)-O-steroid.
  • the organic moiety is as described above for esters.
  • “Sulfite ester” means a moiety that comprises a -O-S(O)-O- structure.
  • sulfite esters as used here comprise an organic moiety containing about 1-50 carbon atoms and 0 to about 10 independently selected heteroatoms (e.g., O, S, N, P, Si) linked to a formula 1 steroid nucleus at one or more of, e.g., R 1 -R 6 , R 10 , R 15 , R 17 or R 18 , through the -O-S(O)-O- structure, e.g., organic moiety-O-S(O)-O-steroid.
  • the organic moiety is as described above for esters.
  • Thioacetal means a moiety that comprises a -S-C(O)- structure.
  • thioacetal groups as used here comprise an organic moiety containing about 1-50 carbon atoms and 0 to about 10 independently selected heteroatoms (e.g., O, S, N, P, Si) linked to a formula 1 steroid nucleus at one or more of, e.g., R 1 -R 6 , R 10 , R 15 , R 17 or R 18 , through the -S-C(O)- structure, e.g., organic moiety-S-C(O)-steroid or steroid-S-C(O)-organic moiety.
  • the organic moiety is as described above for esters.
  • Amide means an organic moiety as described for ester that comprises 1, 2, 3, 4 or more -C(O)-NR PR - moieties, usually 1 or 2, where R PR is -H or a protecting group, R PR is usually H.
  • R PR is -H or a protecting group
  • R PR is usually H.
  • the -C(O)NR PR - group is linked to the steroid nucleus at R 1 -R 6 , R 10 , R 15 , R 17 or R 18 , i.e., organic moiety-C(O)NR PR -steroid or steroid-C(O)NR PR -organic moiety.
  • “Ether” means an organic moiety as described for ester that comprises 1, 2, 3, 4 or more -O- moieties, usually 1 or 2.
  • the -O- group is bonded to the steroid nucleus at R 1 -R 6 , R 10 , R 15 , R 17 or R 18 , i.e., organic moiety-O-steroid.
  • Thioether means an organic moiety as described for ester that comprises 1, 2, 3, 4 or more -S- moieties, usually 1 or 2.
  • the -S- group is bonded to the steroid nucleus at R 1 -R 6 , R 10 , R 15 , R 17 or R 18 , i.e., organic moiety-S-steroid.
  • Acyl group means an organic moiety as described for ester that comprises 1, 2, 3, 4 or more -C(O)- groups.
  • the -C(O)- group is linked to the steroid nucleus at one or more of, e.g., R 1 -R 6 , R 10 , R 15 , R 17 or R 18 , e.g., organic moiety-C(O)-steroid.
  • Thioacyl means an organic moiety as described for ester that comprises 1, 2, 3, 4 or more -C(S)- groups.
  • the -C(S)- group is linked to the steroid nucleus at one or more of, e.g., R 1 -R 6 , R 10 , R 15 , R 17 or R 18 , e.g., organic moiety-C(S)-steroid.
  • Carbonate means an organic moiety as described for ester that comprises 1, 2, 3, 4 or more -O-C(O)-O- structures.
  • carbonate groups as used here comprise an organic moiety containing about 1-50 carbon atoms and 0 to about 10 independently selected heteroatoms (e.g., O, S, N, P, Si) linked to a formula 1 steroid nucleus at one or more of, e.g., R 1 -R 6 , R 10 , R 15 , R 17 or R 18 , through the -O-C(O)-O- structure, e.g., organic moiety-O-C(O)-O-steroid.
  • heteroatoms e.g., O, S, N, P, Si
  • “Carbamate” means an organic moiety as described for ester that comprises 1, 2, 3, 4 or more -O-C(O)NR PR - structures where R PR is -H, a protecting group or an organic moiety as described for ester.
  • carbamate groups as used here comprise an organic moiety containing about 1-50 carbon atoms and 0 to about 10 heteroatoms (e.g., O, S, N, P, Si) linked to a formula 1 steroid nucleus at one or more of, e.g., R 1 -R 6 , R 10 , R 15 , R 17 or R 18 , through the -O-C(O)-NR PR - structure, e.g., organic moiety-O-C(O)-NR PR -steroid or steroid-O-C(O)-NR PR -organic moiety.
  • monosaccharide means a polyhydroxy aldehyde or ketone having the empirical formula (CH 2 O) n where n is 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7.
  • Monosaccharide includes open chain and closed chain forms, but will usually be closed chain forms.
  • Monosaccharide includes hexofuranose, pentofuranose and related sugars such as glucuronic acid, 2'-deoxyribose, ribose, arabinose, xylose, their 2'-deoxy and 3'-deoxy derivatives and their 2',3'-dideoxy derivatives.
  • Monosaccharide also includes the 2',3' dideoxydidehydro derivative of ribose.
  • Monosaccharides can be the D-, L- or DL-isomers. They include glucose, fructose, mannose, idose, galactose, allose, gulose, altrose, talose, fucose, erythrose, threose, lyxose, erythrulose, ribulose, xylulose, ribose, arabinose, xylose, psicose, sorbose, tagatose, glyceraldehyde, dihydroxyacetone and their monodeoxy derivatives such as rhamnose.
  • one or more monosaccharides are bonded directly to the steroid, they are independently selected and they are linked to the steroid nucleus at one or more of, e.g., R 1 -R 6 , R 10 , R 15 , R 17 or R 18 , through, e.g., the -O- ether structure, i.e., steroid-O-monosaccharide.
  • the linkage between the monosaccharide the steroid is in the ⁇ or ⁇ configuration and the configuration of the atom that is bonded to the steroid is also either in the ⁇ or ⁇ configuration.
  • Optionally substituted "monosaccharide” comprises any C3-C7 sugar, D-, L- or DL-configurations, e.g., erythrose, glycerol, ribose, deoxyribose, arabinose, glucose, mannose, galactose, fucose, mannose, glucosamine, N-acetylneuraminic acid, N-acetylglucosamine, N-acetylgalactosamine or glucuronic acid that is optionally substituted at one or more hydroxyl groups.
  • Suitable substitutions include a protecting group for one or more hydroxyl groups, e.g., acetate.
  • substitutions include carboxyl, azido, cyano, -O-C 1-6 alkyl, -S-C 1-6 alkyl, -O-C 2-6 alkenyl, -S-C 2-6 alkenyl, optionally protected amine, optionally protected carboxyl, halogen, thiol or protected thiol.
  • Independently selected monosaccharides are linked to a formula 1 steroid nucleus at one or more of R 1 -R 6 , R 10 , R 15 , R 17 or R 18 , through the -O- ether structure, i.e., steroid-O-substituted monosaccharide.
  • the manner of linkage to the steroid is the same as described for monosaccharides.
  • Optionally substituted "oligosaccharide” comprises two, three, four or more of any C3-C7 monosaccharides that are covalently linked to each other.
  • the linked sugars may have D-, L- or DL-configurations.
  • Suitable sugars and substitutions are as described for monosaccharides and optionally substituted monosaccharides.
  • Independently selected monosaccharides are linked to a formula 1 steroid nucleus at one or more of, e.g., R 1 -R 6 , R 10 , R 15 , R 17 or R 18 , through the -O- ether structure, i.e., steroid-O-optionally substituted oligosaccharide.
  • the manner of linkage to the steroid is the same as described for monosaccharides, as are the linkages between the monosaccharides that comprise the oligosaccharide.
  • Optionally substituted alkyl group, optionally substituted alkenyl group, optionally substituted alkynyl group, optionally substituted aryl moiety and optionally substituted heterocycle mean substitutions that include C 1-20 alkyl moieties, C 2-20 alkenyl moieties, C 2-20 alkynyl moieties, aryl moieties, C 2-9 heterocycles or substituted derivatives of any of these.
  • these moieties When bonded directly to the steroid, these moieties are typically bonded through an ether, ester or other linkage as described above, e.g., optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl -O-steroid, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl-C(O)-O-steroid or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl-O-C(O)-O-steroid.
  • Polymer means biocompatible organic polymers, e.g., PEGs and polyhydroxyalkyl polymers.
  • PEG means an ethylene glycol polymer that contains about 20 to about 2000000 linked monomers, typically about 50-1000 linked monomers, usually about 100-300.
  • Polyethylene glycols include PEGs containing various numbers of linked monomers, e.g., PEG20, PEG30, PEG40, PEG60, PEG80, PEG100, PEG115, PEG 200, PEG 300, PEG400, PEG500, PEG600, PEG 1000, PEG1500, PEG2000, PEG 3350, PEG4000, PEG4600, PEG5000, PEG6000, PEG8000, PEG11000, PEG12000, PEG2000000 and any mixtures thereof.
  • PEG When a PEG is bonded to the steroid at one or more of R 1 -R 16 and R 19 it can be bonded through a terminal or an internal hydroxyl.
  • amino acid means an amino acid moiety that comprises any naturally-occurring or synthetic amino acid residue, i.e., any moiety comprising at least one carboxyl and at least one amino residue directly linked by one, two three or more carbon atoms, typically one ( ⁇ ) carbon atom.
  • the nature and identity of the intervening structure located between the carboxyl and amino groups can have a variety of structures including those described herein.
  • amino acids are linked to the steroid through the amine group have sufficient conformation and length to be capable of autocatalytic hydrolysis of the amino acid-steroid bond and release of the steroid.
  • Leukopenia means a deficiency of one or more types of leukocytes in a subject, e.g., a neutrophil, eosinophil, basophil, monocyte or dendritic cell deficiency.
  • Myelomonocytic cells mean basophils, eosinophils, neutrophils, dendritic cells and monocytes. Most of these cells are believed to be derived from the CFU-GM precursor cell, which normally resides in the bone marrow. Earlier stem cells give rise to the CFU-GM progenitor cell.
  • Myelopoiesis means any or all steps in the process that begins with that begin with the earliest precursor or stem cell and ending with the maturation of a myelomonocytic cell, which is typically observed as increased myelomonocytic cells in circulation.
  • Thrombopoiesis means any or all steps in the process that begins with that begin with the earliest precursor or stem cell and ending with the maturation of a platelet, which is typically observed as increased platelets in circulation.
  • Erythropoiesis means any or all steps in the process that begins with that begin with the earliest precursor or stem cell and ending with the maturation of a red cell, which is typically observed as increased red cells in circulation.
  • Neurotrophils as used herein mean mature white blood cells that arise from precursor cells such as myelocytes, metamyelocytes and band forms and that has a cytoplasm that is not acidophilic or basophilic like eosinophils or basophils.
  • Platelets mean the small anucleate circulating cells that are associated with thrombus or clot formation. These cells arise from a line of precursor cells that include BFU-Mk cells, CFU-Mk cells, promegakaryoblasts and megakaryocytes.
  • Red cells or “red blood cells” mean the oxygen carrying cells in blood. They arise from precursors that include BFU-E and CFU-E cells.
  • phrases such as a "subject in need” and the like mean a subject having a leukocyte, platelet or red cell deficiency. This means a cell level below that considered normal for the subject.
  • Such deficiencies are typically seen as a reduced number of circulating leukocytes or platelets, or for red cells, a reduced red cell mass, which is typically measured as a reduced hemoglobin value, red cell count or a reduced hematocrit.
  • these deficiencies arise from acquired causes, e.g., autoimmune responses, drug-induced toxicities, etc., and not congenital disorders.
  • a subject or patient that is "subject to" (or a like phrase) a blood cell deficiency means one for which the possibility of deficiency is reasonably anticipated.
  • Such subjects include a patient on a drug regimen with side effects that may lead to a blood cell deficiency, or a patient who will undergo surgery, a radiation therapy or a chemotherapy or who will donate blood or tissue products, e.g., a bone marrow donor (for, e.g., transplant purposes) or an apheresis donor.
  • tissue When used in the context of tissue that is associated with the development, movement or function of the blood cells, "tissue” means the tissues normally associated with these functions, e.g., blood, bone marrow, lymph nodes, gut-associated lymphoid tissue, skin-associated lymphoid tissue, liver, lung, thymus or spleen.
  • expressions of a percentage of a liquid ingredient, e.g., an excipient, in an invention composition or formulation mean the ingredient's percent by volume (v/v).
  • 20% propylene glycol means 20% v/v propylene glycol is present in an invention composition or formulation.
  • the amount of excipient indicated in invention compositions is not affected by the form used, e.g., NF or USP grade solvent or excipient.
  • a composition that comprises about 30% polyethylene glycol 300 NF can instead comprise a USP counterpart.
  • G-CSF granulocyte colony stimulating factor
  • GM-CSF granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor
  • M-CSF macrophage colony stimulating factor
  • IL-2 interleukin 2
  • IL-3 interleukin 3
  • IL-4 interleukin 4
  • IL-6 interleukin 11
  • EPO TPO
  • SCF stem cell factor
  • interferon and ⁇ -interferon refer to recombinant or naturally-produced human or animal proteins that are glycosylated or deglycosylated or any biologically active fragments, isoforms or homologs of any of these molecules.
  • any of these proteins may be complete or partial. Fragments or deglycosylated proteins are generally suitable provided that they retain at least some of biological activity, e.g., at least about 20-30% (on a mole basis) of the activity of the native molecule or preferably at least about 60%. Any of these molecules may optionally be bonded to a carrier molecule such as a serum albumin or a polymer such as polyethyleneglycol. See e.g., N.C. Daw et al., Blood 1998 91:466-474 , N. Wrighton et al., Science 1996 273:458-463 , S. Cwirla et al., Science 1997 276:1696-1699 and U.S. patent 6,121,238 .
  • neutrophil or monocyte stimulator mean a non-protein agent that can stimulate a biological activity of neutrophils or monocytes or the number of these cells in circulation.
  • the formula 1 compounds encompass numerous genera and species of compounds. Any of these compounds are suitable for preventing or treating any of the conditions disclosed herein or in the cited references.
  • the compounds include ones wherein, for carbon atoms with two bonded variable groups, one variable group is -H and the other is another moiety.
  • R 5 and R 6 are often independently C 1-4 alkyl, e.g., -CH 3 , or C 1-4 hydroxyalkyl, e.g., -CH 2 OH, where the hydroxyl group optionally comprises a moiety that can hydrolyze to give the free -OH moiety.
  • R 5 and R 6 are both -CH 3 , which are usually both in the ⁇ -configuration.
  • each variable group is independently chosen and one of the two at each position can be -H, while one, two three or all of the others can be a moiety other than -H, e.g., -OH, -SH, a C 1-10 ester, a C 1-10 ether, a C 1-10 thioether or a carbonate.
  • variable group that is bonded to the carbon at these positions is typically -H or optionally substituted C 1-6 alkyl, e.g., -CH 3 or -C 2 H 5 , optionally substituted alkenyl or optionally substituted aryl.
  • R 1 -R 6 , R 10 , R 15 , R 17 and R 18 include moieties, e.g., esters, thioesters, carbonates, amino acids, peptides and/or carbamates, that are chemically and/or enzymatically hydrolyzable, often under physiological conditions. Such moieties are independently chosen. Typically these moieties will give rise to -OH, -SH or -NH 2 at these positions on the steroid nucleus.
  • one or more of R 1 -R 6 , R 10 , R 15 , R 17 or R 18 comprises an amino acid or a peptide, while the remaining groups are independently selected from the moieties defined herein.
  • the peptides are typically dimers (dipeptides) or trimers (tripeptides).
  • the ester, carbonate or carbamate are hydrolyzable under physiological conditions.
  • Formula 1 compounds that comprise one or more hydrolyzable moieties typically comprise acyl groups, esters, ethers, thioethers, amides, amino acids, peptides, carbonates, monosaccharides and/or carbamates.
  • the structure of hydrolyzable moieties is not critical and can vary. In some of embodiments, these moieties contain a total of about 4 to about 10 carbon atoms and in other embodiments, these moieties comprise about 10 to about 20 carbon atoms.
  • hydrolyzable moieties in other embodiments comprise an organic moiety, as described above for ester, that contains 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 carbon atoms and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 independently selected heteroatoms, e.g., oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur.
  • These hydrolyzable moieties can comprise no groups that are charged in plasma, blood, intracellular cytoplasm or in the gut, or they can comprise 1, 2, 3 or more positive, negative or positive and negative charges under one or more of these conditions. The charges may be fractional depending on the group and the conditions it is under.
  • hydrolyzable moieties may comprise 1, 2, 3, 4 or more substitutions at a hydrogen atom(s) and/or a carbon atom(s), e.g., -OH, protected hydroxyl, -SH, protected thiol, carboxyl, protected carboxyl, amine, protected amine, -O-, -S-, -CO-, -CS-, alkoxy, alkylthio, alkenyloxy, aryl, -OP(O)(O)-O-, -OS(O)(O)-O- and/or heterocycle.
  • substitutions are independently selected.
  • Formula 1 compounds that comprise a hydrolyzable moiety(ies) may include one or more independently chosen -O-CHR 24 C(O)OR 25 , -S-CHR 24 C(O)OR 25 , -NH-CHR 24 C(O)OR 25 , -O-CHR 24 C(S)OR 25 , -S-CHR 24 C(S)OR 25 , -NH-CHR 24 C(S)OR 25 , -O-CHR 24 OC(O)R 25 , -S-CHR 24 OC(O)R 25 , -NH-CHR 24 OC(O)R 25 , -O-CHR 24 C(O)N(R 25 ) 2 , -S-CHR 24 C(O)N(R 25 ) 2 , -NH-CHR 24 C(O)N(R 25 ) 2 , -O-CHR 24 OR 25 , -S-CHR 24 OR 25 , -NH-CHR 24 OR 25 ,
  • R 24 are -H, -CH 3 , -C 2 H 5 , -CH 2 -C 1-5 optionally substituted alkyl, -CH 2 CH 2 -C 1-4 optionally substituted alkyl and -CH 2 CH 2 -O-C 1-4 optionally substituted alkyl.
  • R 25 are -H, -CH 3 , -C 2 H 5 , -C 3 H 7 , -C 4 H 9 , -C 6 H 13 , -C 6 H 5 , -C 6 H 4 OH, - C 6 H 4 OCH 3 , -C 6 H 4 F, -CH 2 -C 1-5 optionally substituted alkyl, -CH 2 CH 2 -C 1-4 optionally substituted alkyl and -CH 2 CH 2 -O-C 1-4 optionally substituted alkyl.
  • the formula 1 compounds have the structure wherein, R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 and R 10 independently are -H, -OR PR , -SR PR , - N(R PR ) 2 , -O-Si-(R 13 ) 3 , -CN, -SCN -NO 2 , an ester, a thioester, a phosphoester, a phosphothioester, a phosphonoester, a sulfite ester, a sulfate ester, an amide, an amino acid, a peptide, an ether, a thioether, an acyl group, a thioacyl group, a carbonate, a carbamate, a thioacetal, a halogen, an optionally substituted alkyl group, an optionally substituted alkenyl group, an optionally substituted alkynyl group, an optional
  • Embodiments of formula 1 compounds include or exclude any subset, species or genus of compounds within the definition of formula 1, provided that at least one compound remains.
  • Compounds that are optionally excluded from the formula 1 compounds are one or more of 5-androstene-3 ⁇ -ol-17-one (dehydroepiandrosterone), 5-androstene-3 ⁇ ,17 ⁇ -diol, 5-androstene-3 ⁇ ,7 ⁇ ,17 ⁇ -triol and derivatives that can hydrolytically convert to these compounds.
  • Compounds that are excluded from formula 1 compounds comprises one or all compounds that are disclosed in one or more prior art references or publications, e.g., one or more compounds that are disclosed in any reference cited herein.
  • Exemplary embodiments include the formula 1 compounds named according to the compound structures shown in Tables A and B below. Each compound named in Table B is depicted as a compound having formula B where R 5 and R 6 are both -CH 3 , there is no double bond at the 1-2, 4-5, 5-6 or 16-17 positions, one each of R 1 , R 2 , R 3 and R 4 is hydrogen, R 7 , R 8 and R 9 are all -CH 2 - and the other R 1 , R 2 , R 3 and R 4 are the substituents shown in Table A.
  • the compounds named according to Tables A and B are referred to as "group 1" compounds.
  • the group 1 compound named 10.3.6.2 has the structure shown below.
  • Additional exemplary formula B compound groups include the following compound groups disclosed below. Unless otherwise specified, the configurations of all hydrogen atoms and variable or "R" groups for the following compound groups are as defined for the group 1 compounds of formula B above.
  • Group 2 This group comprises compounds named in Table B having R 1 , R 2 , R 3 and R 4 substituents that are defined in Table A wherein the R 1 , R 2 , R 3 and R 4 substituents are bonded to the steroid nucleus as described for group 1 compounds, except that a double bond at the 5-6 position is present.
  • group 2 compound 1.3.1.1 has the structure
  • Group 3 This group comprises compounds named in Table B having R 1 , R 2 , R 3 and R 4 substituents defined in Table A wherein the R 1 , R 2 , R 3 and R 4 substituents are bonded to the steroid nucleus as described for group 1 compounds, except that double bonds at the 1-2- and 5-6 positions are present.
  • group 3 compound 2.2.5.1 has the structure
  • Group 4 This group comprises compounds named in Table B having R 1 , R 2 , R 3 and R 4 substituents defined in Table A wherein the R 1 , R 2 , R 3 and R 4 substituents are bonded to the steroid nucleus described for group 1 compounds, except that a double bond at the 1-2 position is present.
  • group 4 compound 5.2.7.8 has the structure
  • Group 5 This group comprises compounds named in Table B having R 1 , R 2 , R 3 and R 4 substituents defined in Table A wherein the R 1 , R 2 , R 3 and R 4 substituents are bonded to the steroid nucleus described for group 1 compounds, except that a double bond at the 4-5 position is present.
  • Group 6 This group comprises compounds named in Table B having R 1 , R 2 , R 3 and R 4 substituents defined in Table A wherein the R 1 , R 2 , R 3 and R 4 substituents are bonded to the steroid nucleus described for group 1 compounds, except that double bonds at both the 1-2 and 4-5 positions are present.
  • Groups 7-1 through 7-6 These groups comprise the 6 compound groups described above, except that R 5 is hydrogen instead of methyl.
  • group 7-1 has the same steroid nucleus as group 1 above, i.e., no double bond is present, but R 5 is -H.
  • Group 7-2 comprises the same steroid nucleus as group 2 above, i.e., a double bond is present at the 5-6-position, but R 5 is -H.
  • Compound groups 7-3 through 7-6 are assigned a steroid nucleus in the same manner.
  • the group 7-1 through group 7-6 compounds named 1.2.1.9 have the structures and
  • Groups 8-1 through 8-6 These groups comprise each compound named in groups 1-6, except that R 5 of formula B is -CH 2 OH instead of methyl.
  • the groups 8-1 through group 8-6 compounds have structures that are named in the same manner as group 1-6 compounds, except that -CH 2 OH instead of methyl is present at R 5 .
  • These groups are named in the same manner as groups 7-1 through 7-6.
  • group 8-1 and group 8-2 compounds named 1.2.1.9 have the structures and
  • Groups 9-1 through 9-6 These groups comprise each compound named in compound groups 1-6, except that R 6 of formula B is hydrogen instead of methyl.
  • the groups 9-1 through group 9-6 compounds have structures that are named in the same manner as group 7-1 through 7-6 compounds, except that -H instead of methyl is present at R 6 .
  • group 9-1 and group 9-2 compounds named 1.2.1.9 have the structures and
  • Groups 10-1 through 10-6 These groups comprise each compound named in compound groups 1-6 where R 6 of formula 1 is -CH 2 OH instead of methyl.
  • the groups 10-1 through group 10-6 compounds have structures that are named in the same manner as group 7-1 through 7-6 compounds, except that -CH 2 OH instead of methyl is present at R 6 .
  • group 10-1 and group 10-2 compounds named 1.2.1.9 have the structures and
  • Groups 11-1 through 11-10-6 comprise each compound named in compound groups 1 through 10-6 where R 1 substituents 1-10 listed in Table A are replaced with the following substituents:
  • group 11-1 through group 11-6 compounds have structures that are named in the same manner as group 7-1 through 7-6 compounds, except that substituents 1-10 of table A are replaced by the substituents 1-10 at R 1 listed above.
  • group 11-1 and 11-2 compounds named 1.2.1.9 have the structures
  • Group 11-7-1 and 11-7-2 compounds named 1.2.1.9 have the structures
  • Group 11-8-1 and 11-8-2 compounds named 1.2.1.9 have the structures
  • Groups 12-1 through 12-10-6 These groups comprise each compound named in groups 1 through 10-6 where R 1 substituents 1-10 listed in Table A are replaced with the following groups:
  • Groups 13-1 through 13-10-6 These groups comprise each compound named in groups 1 through 10-6 where R 1 substituents 1-10 listed in Table A are replaced with the following groups:
  • Groups 14-1 through 14-10-6 comprise each compound named in groups 1 through 10-6 where R 1 substituents 1-10 listed in Table A are replaced with the following groups:
  • Groups 15-1 through 15-10-6 comprise each compound named in groups 1 through 10-6 where R 1 substituents 1-10 listed in Table A are replaced with the following groups:
  • Groups 16-1 through 16-10-6 comprise each compound named in groups 1 through 10-6 where R 1 substituents 1-10 listed in Table A are replaced with the following groups:
  • Groups 17-1 through 17-10-6 These groups comprise each compound named in compound groups 1 through 10-6 where R 1 substituents 1-10 listed in Table A are replaced with the following groups:
  • Groups 18-1 through 18-10-6 comprise each compound named in groups 1 through 10-6 where R 4 substituents 1-10 listed in Table A are replaced with the following groups:
  • Groups 19-1 through 19-10-6 comprise each compound named in compound groups 1 through 10-6 where R 4 substituents 1-10 listed in Table A are replaced with the following groups:
  • Groups 20-1 through 20-10-6 These groups comprise each compound named in groups 1 through 10-6 where R 4 substituents 1-10 listed in Table A are replaced with the following groups:
  • Groups 21-1 through 21-10-6 These groups comprise each compound named in compound groups 1 through 10-6 where R 4 substituents 1-10 listed in Table A are replaced with the following groups:
  • Groups 22-1 through 22-10-6 These groups comprise each compound named in compound groups 1 through 10-6 where R 2 substituents 1-10 listed in Table A are replaced with the following groups:
  • Groups 23-1 through 23-10-6 comprise each compound named in compound groups 1 through 10-6 where R 3 substituents 1-10 listed in Table A are replaced with the following groups:
  • Groups 24-1 through 24-10-6 comprise each compound named in compound groups 1 through 10-6 where R 2 substituents 1-10 listed in Table A are replaced with the following groups:
  • Groups 25-1 through 25-10-6 comprise each compound named in compound groups 1 through 10-6 where R 3 substituents 1-10 listed in Table A are replaced with the following groups:
  • Groups 26-1 through 26-25-10-6 comprise each compound named in compound groups 1 through 25-10-6 wherein R 7 in formula B is -O-, instead of -CH 2 -.
  • R 7 in formula B is -O-, instead of -CH 2 -.
  • the compound group 26-8-1 and compound group 26-8-2 compounds named 1.2.5.9 have the structures and
  • the group 26-11-1 and 26-11-2 compounds named 1.2.5.9 have the structures
  • Groups 27-1 through 27-25-10-6 comprise each compound named in compound groups 1 through 25-10-6 wherein R 8 in formula B is -O-, instead of -CH 2 -.
  • R 8 in formula B is -O-, instead of -CH 2 -.
  • the 27-1 and 27-2 compounds named 1.2.5.9 have the structures and
  • the group 27-8-1 and group 27-8-2 compounds named 1.2.5.9 have the structures and
  • Groups 28-1 through 28-25-10-6 comprise each compound named in compound groups 1 through 25-10-6 wherein R 9 in formula B is -O-, instead of -CH 2 - and no double bond is present at the 1-2 position.
  • R 9 in formula B is -O-, instead of -CH 2 - and no double bond is present at the 1-2 position.
  • the 28-1, 28-2 and 28-5 compounds named 1.2.5.9 have the structures and
  • the group 28-8-1 and group 28-8-2 compounds named 1.2.5.9 have the structures and
  • the group 28-11-1 and 28-11-2 compounds named 1.2.5.9 have the structures
  • Groups 29-1 through 29-25-10-6 comprise each compound named in compound groups 1 through 25-10-6 wherein R 7 is -NH-, instead of -CH 2 -.
  • the compounds are named as described for compound groups 26-1 through 26-25-10-6.
  • Groups 30-1 through 30-25-10-6 comprise each compound named in compound groups 1 through 25-10-6 wherein R 8 is -NH-, instead of -CH 2 -.
  • the compounds are named as described for compound groups 26-1 through 26-25-10-6.
  • Groups 31-1 through 31-25-10-6 comprise each compound named in compound groups 1 through 25-10-6 wherein R 9 is -NH-, instead of -CH 2 -. and no double bond is present at the 1-2 position. Thus, there is , e.g., no group 31-3, 31-4, 31-6, 31-8-3, 31-8-4 or 31-8-6.
  • the compounds are named as described for compound groups 26-1 through 26-25-10-6.
  • Groups 32-1 through 32-25-10-6 comprise each compound named in compound groups 1 through 25-10-6 wherein two of R 7 R 8 and R 9 independently are -NH-, -O- or -S- instead of -CH 2 -.
  • the compounds are named as described for compound groups 26-1 through 26-25-10-6.
  • Groups 33-1 through 33-25-10-6 comprise each compound named in compound groups 1 through 25-10-6 wherein each of R 7 R 8 and R 9 independently are -NH-, -O- or -S- instead of -CH 2 -.
  • the compounds are named as described for compound groups 26-1 through 26-25-10-6.
  • Groups 34-1 through 34-25-10-6 comprise each compound named in compound groups 1 through 25-10-6 wherein R 7 is -S-, instead of -CH 2 -.
  • the compounds are named as described for compound groups 26-1 through 26-25-10-6.
  • Groups 35-1 through 35-25-10-6 comprise each compound named in compound groups 1 through 25-10-6 wherein R 8 is -S-, instead of -CH 2 -.
  • the compounds are named as described for compound groups 26-1 through 26-25-10-6.
  • Groups 36-1 through 36-25-10-6 comprise each compound named in compound groups 1 through 25-10-6 wherein R 9 is -S-, instead of -CH 2 - and no double bond is present at the 1-2 position. There is , e.g., no group 36-3, 36-4, 36-6, 36-8-3, 36-8-4 or 36-8-6. The compounds are named as described for compound groups 26-1 through 26-25-10-6.
  • Groups 42-1 through 42-25-10-6 comprise each compound named in all of the compound groups 1 through 36-25-10-6 described above wherein, when hydrogen is present at the 5-position, it is in the ⁇ -configuration, instead of the ⁇ -configuration as shown in formula B.
  • the formula 1 compounds include one or more of the following: (1) one R 1 is as described in the compound groups described above and the second R 1 is a moiety other than hydrogen, e.g., -OH, -SH, an ester, an ether, optionally substituted alkyl, a heterocycle or an optionally substituted monosaccharide; (2) one R 2 is as described in the compound groups described above and the second R 2 is a moiety other than hydrogen, e.g., -OH, -SH, an ester, an ether, optionally substituted alkyl, a heterocycle or an optionally substituted monosaccharide; (3) one R 3 is as described in the compound groups described above and the second R 3 is a moiety other than hydrogen, e.g., -OH, -SH, an ester, an ether, optionally substituted alkyl, a heterocycle or an optionally substituted monosaccharide; (4) one R 4 is as described in the compound groups described above and the second R 4
  • R 1 -R 2 and R 4 -R 6 comprise one or more of these substituents (or others described herein), the substituent is present in the ⁇ -configuration, while R 3 typically comprises a substituent in the ⁇ -configuration. In some embodiments, R 2 is in the ⁇ -configuration.
  • one or more of R 1 -R 6 , R 10 , R 15 , R 17 and R 18 independently comprise a nucleoside, a nucleotide, an oligonucleotide or an analog of any of these moieties.
  • such moieties are linked to the steroid nucleus through a terminal hydroxyl, thiol, acyl moiety or amine at the 5', 3' or 2' positions, when a hydroxyl, thiol, acyl moiety or amine is present at that position.
  • the linkage to the steroid occasionally is through a sugar hydroxyl at an internal 2' position.
  • Oligonucleotide coupling groups means any moiety suitable for generating a phosphodiester linkage or phosphodiester analog linkage between adjacent nucleotides or their analogs. Suitable oligonucleotide coupling groups include -OH, H-phosphonate, alkylphosphonamidites or phosphoramidites such as ⁇ -cyanoethyl-phosphoramidite, N, N-diisopropylamino- ⁇ -cyanoethoxyphosphine and others as described in the cited references.
  • Suitable purine and pyrimidine bases include adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine, uracil and others as described in the cited references.
  • Suitable nucleosides, nucleotides, oligonucleotides and their analogs have been described, see e.g., U.S. patents 4725677 , 4973679 , 4997927 , 4415732 , 4458066 , 5047524 , 4959463 , 5212295 , 5386023 , 5489677 , 5594121 , 5614622 , 5624621 ; and PCT publication Nos.
  • WO 92/07864 WO 96/29337 , WO 97/14706 , WO 97/14709 , WO 97/31009 , WO 98/04585 and WO 98/04575 all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
  • the formula 1 compounds e.g., those named in any of the compound groups 1 through 42-25-10-6, are suitable for linkage to oligonucleotides modulate the lipophilicity of oligonucleotides or the transport or permeation of an oligonucleotide into cells.
  • Such linkages may be biologically labile to facilitate release of the steroid from the oligonucleotide once the conjugate has entered the cell.
  • Table 2 shows these and other exemplary moieties that one or more of R 1 -R 6 , R 10 , R 15 , R 17 and R 18 independently can comprise.
  • an R 3 and an R 4 of the formula 1 compounds comprises a ring(s) structure.
  • Exemplary compounds of formula 2 include the following structures, or wherein, R 16 independently are -CH 2 -, -O-, -S- or -NH-; R 15 , R 17 and R 18 independently are -H, -OR PR , -SR PR , -N(R PR ) 2 , -O-Si-(R 13 ) 3 , -CN, -NO 2 , -OSO 3 H, - OPO 3 H, an ester, a thioester, a phosphoester, a phosphothioester, a phosphonoester, a sulfite ester, a sulfate ester, an amide, an amino acid, a peptide, an ether, a thioether, an acyl group, a thioacyl group, a carbonate, a carbamate, a
  • Such compounds include any of these structures wherein one, two or three of R 7 , R 8 and R 9 are independently -O-, -S-, or -NH- or wherein one or both of R 5 and R 6 independently are -H, -CH 3 , -CH 2 OR PR , -CH 2 OH, -CH 2 SH, -CH 2 SR PR , -CH 2 O-C(O)-C 1-10 alkyl, -CH 2 S-C(O)-C 1-10 alkyl, -CH 2 O-C(O)-C 1-10 alkenyl, -CH 2 S-C(O)-C 1-10 alkenyl, -CH 2 O-C(O)-C 0-4 alkyl-heterocycle, -CH 2 S-C(O)-C 0-4 alkyl-heterocycle, - CH 2 O-C(O)-C 0-4 alkyl-phenyl, -CH 2 S-C(O)-C 0
  • Scheme 1 For the structures shown in scheme 1, R 5 -R 9 are as defined for formula 1 compounds. Thus, when R 5 and R 6 are both -CH 3 in the ⁇ -configuration, R 7 , R 8 and R 9 are all -CH 2 -, H at the 9 and 14 positions are in the ⁇ -configuration, acetate at the 3-position is in the ⁇ -configuration, and H at the 8 position is in the ⁇ -configuration, the first compound in scheme 1 is DHEA acetate.
  • the acetate groups at the 3, 7, 16, 17 or other positions in this scheme and in other schemes disclosed herein may independently be other ester moieties as described herein, e.g., C 2-50 esters including -C(O)-(CH 2 ) 0-4 -(CF 2 ) 0-4 -CF 3 , including -C(O)-CF 3 , -C(O)-C 2-29 optionally substituted alkyl, -C(O)-CH 2 -C 2-28 optionally substituted alkenyl, -C(O)-CH 2 -C 2-28 optionally substituted alkynyl, -C(O)-(CH 2 ) 0-6 -optionally substituted phenyl, or -C(O)-(CH 2 ) 0-6 -optionally substituted heterocycle or other organic moieties as disclosed herein or in the cited references.
  • C 2-50 esters including -C(O)-(CH 2 ) 0-4 -(CF 2
  • Scheme 2 Compounds of formula 2 are prepared from structure A compounds shown in scheme 1 using the last two steps of Scheme 1: (1) dibromantin, (2) LiBr, (3) Li-C-R, where R is CR A and R A is -H or -C 1-12 optionally substituted alkyl.
  • R 7 , R 8 and R 9 are all -CH 2 -, H at the 9 and 14 positions are in the ⁇ -configuration and H at the 8 position is in the ⁇ -configuration the first compound in scheme 1 is DHEA acetate.
  • Scheme 6 Formula 6 compounds are prepared by treatment of the acetate with lithium acetylide as in Schemes 1, 2, 3 or 4.
  • R and R A are as defined in Schemes 1 and 2.
  • Scheme 7 Formula 7 compounds are prepared from the 3-acetate with reagents described in Schemes 1 and 4.
  • R and R A are as defined in Schemes 1 and 2.
  • esters of formula 1 - 10c compounds, such as -O-C(O)-R B where R B is a C 1-50 organic moiety, are prepared from the steroid alcohol by treatment with the appropriate acid anhydride or acid chloride (R B -C(O)-Cl) to form any desired ester.
  • Ethers such as - O-R B
  • Ethers are prepared from alcohols by formation of the alkaline metal alkoxide (Na + or K + ) followed by treatment with a primary or secondary iodide (R B -I).
  • Thionoesters, R B -C(S)-O- are prepared by treating the R B -C(O)-O- ester with Lawesson's reagent.
  • Sulfates NaO-S(O)(O)-O-, R B -O-S(O)(O)-O-, e.g., CH 3 (CH 2 ) 0-18 -S(O)(O)-O-, are prepared by treatment of alcohols with chlorosulfonic acid followed by NaOH or alternatively by oxidation of sulfites using KMnO 4 . If the alkyl (e.g., methyl) ester is desired alkylchloro-sulfonate (methylchloro-sulfonate) can be used.
  • alkyl (e.g., methyl) ester is desired alkylchloro-sulfonate (methylchloro-sulfonate) can be used.
  • Sulfites HO-S(O)-O- and ammonium salts NH 4 O-S(O)-O, or R B O-S(O)-O- esters (e.g., CH 3 O-S(O)-O-) are prepared by standard methods.
  • the ammonium salts are prepared by treatment of alcohols with ammonia and sulfur dioxide.
  • esters such as alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl esters (e.g., methyl ester) are obtained when alcohols are treated with alkylchlorosulfite (e.g., methycholorosulfite), alkenylchlorosulfite or alkynylchlorosulfite in the presence of a suitable base such as triethylamine.
  • alkylchlorosulfite e.g., methycholorosulfite
  • alkenylchlorosulfite or alkynylchlorosulfite in the presence of a suitable base such as triethylamine.
  • Phosphoesters, R B O-P(OR PR )(O)-O- are prepared by treating the alcohol with diethylchlorophosphate in the presence of Na 2 CO 3 .
  • R B O-P(SR PR )(O)-O- are generated by treatment of alcohols with the monothio analog of diethylchlorophosphate as described for phosphoesters yielding the phosphothioesters.
  • Carbonates, R B O-C(O)-O- are generated from the corresponding steroid alcohol using the chloroformate (R B -C(O)-CI), e.g., C 1-20 alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl chloroformates (e.g. CH 3 (CH 2 ) 0-5 -C(O)Cl).
  • Aminoacid esters, ZNX-CHY-C(O)-O- are generated by coupling the steroid alcohol with the acid chloride of the N-protected amino acid.
  • Oxidation of hydroxyl groups that are linked to the steroid nucleus is used to obtain ketones and related functionalities.
  • conversion of alcohols to ketones can be achieved using a variety of oxidizing agents such as CrO 3 in AcOH, or pyridinium cholorchromate, pyridinium dichromate or oxalyl chloride with triethylamine (Swern oxidation).
  • Thioacetals -C(SR B )(SR B )-, are prepared from ketones (-C(O)-) by treatment with R B -SH thiols under acid catalysis conditions (e.g., HCl).
  • Phosphonoesters RO-P(OR PR )(O)-, are generated by addition of the phosphorus acid diester to ketones in the presence of KF to yield hydroxy phosphonoesters.
  • thiols are prepared from alcohols by conversion of the alcohol with inversion to the bromide using PBr 3 .
  • Treatment of the bromide with thiourea followed by NaOH gives the thiol.
  • Thioethers, R B -S- are prepared from thiols by treatment with NaOH and the required halide, e.g., alkyl halide.
  • alcohol derivatives like tosylates or mesylates can be displaced by thiolate anions, R B -S - , to yield the thioether.
  • Thioesters, R-C(O)-S- are prepared by treating the tosylate (mesylate) of the alcohol with the sodium salt of the thioacid.
  • Substitution of hydroxyl groups can be used to generate both esters, R B O-C(O)-, and amides, NHR B -C(O)-, linked to the steroid at carbon atoms.
  • R B is -H, a protecting group or a C 1-50 organic moiety. These are synthesized from the steroid bromide with inversion by displacement with NaCN. The cyanide group can be hydrolyzed to the amide or the acid.
  • the acid is esterified or treated by standard peptide coupling reactions with an O-protected amino acid in the presence of a suitable carboxyl activating agents such as dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) to form steroid -C(O)-NH-CHY-C(O)-OR, where Y is the side chain of an amino acid or a C1-C10 organic moiety and R is a protecting group (or hydrogen when deprotected).
  • DCC dicyclohexylcarbodiimide
  • Amines and derivatives of amines are typically prepared by standard methods.
  • amines e.g., NH 2 -steroid
  • amines are generally prepared using the Hoffmann rearrangement (Br 2 , NaOH) from the amide (NH 2 -C(O)-steroid) or the Curtius rearrangement (NaN 3 ) from the acid chloride of the steroid.
  • the R B substituent can subsequently be introduced by alkylation.
  • Steroid alcohols can be used as starting materials under standard Mitsunobu conditions (PPh 3 , DEAD) to yield N-Boc sulfonamides using N-(t-butoxycarbonyl)-p-toluenesulfonamide.
  • One can selectively remove either protecting group.
  • Treatment with trifluoroacetic acid affords the sulfonamide (R B -S(O)(O)-NH-steroid).
  • sodium napthalenide deprotects to give the N-Boc compound.
  • Amines (NH 2 -steroid) can be converted to amides (R B NH-C(O)-steroid) using acyl chlorides (R B -C(O)-Cl).
  • the desired intermediate is optionally separated from other products or at least partially enriched (e.g., enriched at least about 10-fold, usually at least about 50-100-fold) from other products before subsequent reactions are conducted.
  • Substitution at steroid carbon atoms will generally proceed with greatest efficiency at the 3-position, which is relatively sterically unhindered and C-17 is generally somewhat less accessible than the C-3 position.
  • the relative reactivities of the C-3, C-7, C-17 and C-16 positions allows one to use their reactivities to control the sequential introduction of different functional groups into the same steroid molecule.
  • groups, such as hydroxyl at more reactive positions, C-3 or C-17 may be sequentially protected or deprotected to allow introduction of functional groups at other positions, such as C-7 or C-16.
  • Polymers such as PEG are linked to the compounds essentially as described above.
  • PEG200 or PEG300 is linked to the steroid at the 3, 7, 16, 17 or other positions by an ether linkage (PEG-O-steroid) using a PEG alkoxide (PEG-ONa), to displace the steroid bromide.
  • PEG-ONa PEG alkoxide
  • PEG-Br can be treated with the steroid alkoxide.
  • Polyethylene glycol esters such as those described in U.S. patent 5681964 can also be prepared using a suitable formula 1 compound and the methods described therein.
  • Monosaccharides or polysaccharides and oligonucleotides are linked to steroid hydroxyl groups using known methods, see e.g., U.S. patent 5627270 .
  • Formula 1 steroid analogs that comprise one or more ring heteroatoms are synthesized according to the following methods.
  • Scheme 11 Formula 1 compounds that comprise two or three ring heteroatoms are prepared as shown in the schemes.
  • X is -CH 2 -, - NH-, -O-, or -S-;
  • R 40 is -H or -Br;
  • R 41 is an organic moiety having about 12 carbon atoms or less, typically C1 - C8 optionally substituted alkyl (e.g., methyl, hydroxymethyl, ethyl, propyl) or C2 - C8 optionally substituted alkenyl having a single double bond (e.g., vinyl) with 1, 2, 3 or more indepenently selected substituents (e.g., -OH, -COOH, -O-) and with any substituents that comprise a functional group generally being protected.
  • substituents e.g., -OH, -COOH, -O-
  • Preparation of compound 20 from 19 is accomplished using a glycol such as HOC(CH 3 ) 2 C(CH 3 ) 2 OH in acid (H + ) ( B.H. Lipshutz et al., Synth. Commun. 12: 267, 1982 ).
  • a glycol such as HOC(CH 3 ) 2 C(CH 3 ) 2 OH in acid (H + )
  • H + HOC(CH 3 ) 2 C(CH 3 ) 2 OH in acid
  • Scheme 13 The scheme and rections shown below are used to prepare the compound of structure 13 and related compounds that are used to introduce oxygen, carbon, nitrogen or sulfur into the R 7 and R 8 positions of formula 1 compounds.
  • the reactant in the preparation of compound 63 3-chloro-2-methylpropene (reg. No. 563-47-3), is available commercially (e.g., Aldrich, Fluka).
  • the carboxylic acid is reduced to the alcohol using LiAlH 4 .
  • Conversion of the carboxylic acid to the bromide is accomplished using, e.g., Br 2 in water, essentially as described ( J.S. Meck et al., Org. Synth. V, 126, 1973 ; A. Mckillop et al., J. Org. Chem. 34: 1172, 1969 ).
  • Compounds of structure 11 are brominated using N-bromosuccinimide to obtain steroids and analogs with bromine at the 7-position.
  • the 11A compounds are deprotected to yield the aldehyde compounds 12 .
  • the bromine atom is ultimately found at the 7-position.
  • the bromine may be converted to a hydroxyl by reaction of the steroid with base (e.g., aqueous KOH), and the hydroxyl may in turn be protected using known methods, e.g., using C 6 H 5 -CH 2 -Br and base (KOH).
  • base e.g., aqueous KOH
  • KOH C 6 H 5 -CH 2 -Br and base
  • the alcohol is protected and deprotected essentially using described methods, see, e.g., W.H. Hartung et al., Org. React.
  • formula 1 compounds that have a double bond at the 5-6 position and are unsubstituted at the 7-position are optionally protected, e.g., hydroxyl groups are protected with acetate, and a ketone is introduced into the 7-position by oxidation with chromic acid essentially as described (U.S patent 2170124).
  • mild conditions e.g., Al(Oi-Pr) 3
  • the use of stronger reducing conditions e.g., reduction with LiBH 4 in THF, leads to conversion of the 7-carbonyl to hydroxyl and to reduction of the 5-6 double bond and other double bonds that may be present in the molecule.
  • Various groups that may comprise the formula 1 compounds described herein e.g., hydroxyl groups or ketones bonded to the steroid nucleus, or substituted alkyl groups, substituted heterocycles, amino acids and peptides, can contain one or more reactive moieties such as hydroxyl, carboxyl, amino or thiol.
  • Intermediates used to make formula 1 compounds may be protected as is apparent in the art. Noncyclic and cyclic protecting groups and corresponding cleavage reactions are described in " Protective Groups in Organic Chemistry", Theodora W. Greene (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1991, ISBN 0-471-62301-6 ) (hereafter "Greene”) and will not be detailed here.
  • these protecting groups are groups that can be removed from the molecule of the invention without irreversibly changing the covalent bond structure or oxidation/reduction state of the remainder of the molecule.
  • the protecting group, -R PR that is bonded to an -O- or -NH- group can be removed to form -OH or -NH 2 , respectively, without affecting other covalent bonds in the molecule.
  • more than one protecting group can be removed at a time, or they can be removed sequentially.
  • the protecting groups are the same or different.
  • Protecting groups are removed by known procedures, although it will be understood that the protected intermediates fall within the scope of this invention. The removal of the protecting group may be arduous or straight-forward, depending upon the economics and nature of the conversions involved. In general, one will use a protecting group with exocyclic amines or with carboxyl groups during synthesis of a formula 1 compound. For most therapeutic applications amine groups should be deprotected. Protecting groups commonly are employed to protect against covalent modification of a sensitive group in reactions such as alkylation or acylation. Ordinarily, protecting groups are removed by, e.g. hydrolysis, elimination or aminolysis.
  • a group is a protecting group if when, based on mole ratio, 90% of that protecting group has been removed by a deprotection reaction, no more than 50%, typically 25%, more typically 10%, of the deprotected product molecules of the invention have undergone changes to their covalent bond structure or oxidation/reduction state other than those occasioned by the removal of the protecting group.
  • the mole ratios are determined when all of the groups of that type are removed.
  • each type of protecting group is treated (and the mole ratios are determined) independently or together with others depending on whether the deprotection reaction conditions pertinent to one type are also pertinent to the other types present.
  • a group is a protecting group if when, based on mole ratio determined by conventional techniques, 90% of that protecting group has been removed by a conventional deprotection reaction, no more than 50%, typically 25%, more typically 10%, of the deprotected product molecules of the invention have undergone irreversible changes to their covalent bond structure or oxidation/reduction state other than those occasioned by the removal of the protecting group. Irreversible changes require chemical reactions (beyond those resulting from aqueous hydrolysis, acid/base neutralization or conventional separation, isolation or purification) to restore the covalent bond structure or oxidation/reduction state of the deprotected molecule of the invention.
  • Typical hydroxy protecting groups are described in Greene at pages 14-118 and include Ethers (Methyl); Substituted Methyl Ethers (Methoxymethyl, Methylthiomethyl, t-Butylthiomethyl, (Phenyldimethylsilyl)methoxymethyl, Benzyloxymethyl, p-Methoxybenzyloxymethyl, (4-Methoxyphenoxy)methyl, Guaiacolmethyl, t-Butoxymethyl, 4-Pentenyloxymethyl, Siloxymethyl, 2-Methoxyethoxymethyl, 2,2,2-Trichloroethoxymethyl, Bis(2-chloroethoxy)methyl, 2-(Trimethylsilyl)ethoxymethyl, Tetrahydropyranyl, 3-Bromotetrahydropyranyl, Tetrahydropthiopyranyl, 1-Methoxycyclohexyl, 4-methoxytetrahydropyranyl, 4-Methoxytetrahydrothiopyranyl, 4-Meth
  • hydroxy protecting groups include subtituted methyl ethers, substituted benzyl ethers, silyl ethers, and esters including sulfonic acid esters, still more typically, trialkylsilyl ethers, tosylates and acetates.
  • Typical 1,2- and 1,3-diol protecting groups are described in Greene at pages 118-142 and include Cyclic Acetals and Ketals (Methylene, Ethylidene, 1-t-Butylethylidene, 1-Phenylethylidene, (4-Methoxyphenyl)ethylidene, 2,2,2-Trichloroethylidene, Acetonide (Isopropylidene), Cyclopentylidene, Cyclohexylidene, Cycloheptylidene, Benzylidene, p-Methoxybenzylidene, 2,4-Dimethoxybenzylidene, 3,4-Dimethoxybenzylidene, 2-Nitrobenzylidene); Cyclic Ortho Esters (Methoxymethylene, Ethoxymethylene, Dimethoxymethylene, 1-Methoxyethylidene, 1-Ethoxyethylidine, 1,2-Dimethoxyethylid
  • 1,2- and 1,3-diol protecting groups include epoxides and acetonides.
  • Typical amino protecting groups are described in Greene at pages 315-385 and include Carbamates (Methyl and Ethyl, 9-Fluorenylmethyl, 9(2-Sulfo)fluoroenylmethyl, 9-(2,7-Dibromo)fluorenylmethyl, 2,7-Di-t-buthyl-[9-(10,10-dioxo-10,10,10,10-tetrahydrothioxanthyl)]-methyl, 4-Methoxy-phenacyl); Substituted Ethyl (2,2,2-Trichoroethyl, 2-Trimethylsilylethyl, 2-Phenylethyl, 1-(1-Adamantyl)-1-methylethyl, 1,1-Dimethyl-2-haloethyl, 1,1-Dimethyl-2,2-dibromoethyl, 1,1-Dimethyl-2,2,2-trichloroethyl, 1-Methyl
  • amino protecting groups include carbamates and amides, still more typically, N-acetyl groups.
  • Groups capable of biological cleavage typically include prodrugs.
  • a large number of such groups are described in " Design of Prodrugs", Hans Bundgaard (Elsevier, N.Y., 1985, ISBN 0-444-80675-X ) (Bundgaard) and will not be detailed here.
  • Bundgaard at pages 1-92, describes prodrugs and their biological cleavage reactions for a number of functional group types.
  • Prodrugs for carboxyl and hydroxyl groups are detailed in Bundgaard at pages 3 to 10, for amides, imides and other NH-acidic compounds at pages 10 to 27, amines at pages 27 to 43, and cyclic prodrugs at pages 62 to 70.
  • These moieties are optionally bonded to the steroid at one two or more of R 1 -R 6 , R 10 , R 15 , R 17 and R 18 .
  • aspects of the invention include methods to treat or prevent various blood cell deficiencies such as TP or NP.
  • the treatment methods may result in enhanced hemopoiesis or the treatment methods may reduce the loss of cells such as platelets or neutrophils. Increased platelet or neutrophil production or reduced loss is typically observed as increased circulating blood cell counts.
  • invention aspects comprise methods to treat or prevent neutropenia in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to a subject in need, or delivering to the subject's tissues, an effective amount of a formula 1 compound.
  • Normal ranges of various white blood cells or blood components in adult (about 18-49 years of age) human blood are as follows. Total adult white blood cell counts average about 7500/mm 3 , with an approximate normal range of about 4.5 - 11.0 x 10 3 /mm 3 .
  • the normal basophil level is about 35 mm -3 , with a normal range of about 10-100/mm 3 .
  • the normal adult neutrophil level is about 4400/mm 3 , with a normal range of about 2000-7700/mm -3 .
  • the normal eosinophil level is about 275 mm -3 , with a normal range of about 150-300/mm 3 .
  • the normal monocyte level is about 540 mm -3 , with a normal range of about 300-600/mm 3 .
  • the normal adult platelet level is about 2.5 x 10 5 /mm 3 , with a normal range of about 2.1 x 10 5 - 2.9 x 10 5 /mm 3 .
  • the normal adult red cell mass corresponds to about 4.6 x 10 12 red cells/L in females and about 5.2 x 10 12 red cells/L in males.
  • neutropenia means generally a circulating neutrophil count of less than about 1800/mm 3 , generally a count of about 1500/mm 3 or less.
  • Thrmobocytopenia generally means a circulating platelet count of less than about 1.9 x 10 5 /mm 3 , generally a count of less than about 1.2 x 10 5 /mm 3 .
  • Anemia generally means a red cell mass corresponding to less than about 4.0 x 10 12 red cells/L in adult females and less than about 4.5 x 10 12 red cells/L in adult males (a hemoglobin level of less than about 12.0 g/dL in adult females and less than about 13.5 g/dL in adult males).
  • the diagnosis of a deficiency may cover a cell count that falls outside these ranges, due, e.g., to individual variations in a subject's age, sex, race, animal strain or normal blood cell status for the individual.
  • Such variations are identified by known means such as by identification of a change from the subject's normal status or by multiple cell measurements over time that reveal a deficiency. See, e.g., Hematology - Basic Principles and Practice, 2nd edition, R. Hoffman, E.J. Benz Jr. et al., editors, Churchill Livingstone, New York, 1995 .
  • Subjects with an identified or identifiable deficiency outside these standard ranges are included in the definition of a blood cell deficiency or a subject in need of treatment, as used herein.
  • Specific conditions that are amenable to prophylaxis or treatment by the invention methods include the acquired blood cell deficiencies.
  • Exemplary deficiencies or groups of deficiencies are neonatal alloimmune TP, immune TP, immune thrombocytopenic purpura, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, post-transfusion purpura, radiation associated TP, chemotherapy associated TP (e.g., NSAID treatments such as with indomethacin, ibuprofen, naproxen, phenylbutazone, piroxican or zompirac, or ⁇ -lactam antibiotic treatments such as with ampicillin, carbenacillin, penicillin G, ticarcillin, or cephalosporin treatments such as with cefazolin, cefoxitin or cephalothin, anticoagulant treatments such as heparin, hirudin, lepirudin or aspirin, treatment with plasma expanders or psychotropic drugs), amegakaryocitic TP, chemotherapy associated TP, radiation associated
  • Some of the blood cell deficiencies are associated with, or caused by, other therapeutic treatments, e.g., cancer chemotherapy, anti-pathogen chemotherapy, radiation therapy and chemotherapy for suppression of autoimmunity or immune suppression therapy for organ or tissue transplantation or implantation. In many cases it would be medically sound to continue the treatment associated with causing or exacerbating the blood cell deficiency.
  • one would generally conduct the invention methods with subjects who are undergoing another therapy at the same time or near the same time, e.g., within a few days to within about 1-6 months.
  • Such subjects typically will have an identified blood cell deficiency such as a NP or a TP, e.g., as disclosed herein.
  • the formula 1 compounds are generally suitable for preventing the onset of such deficiencies, and they can thus be used prophylactically in these indications.
  • the invention includes all of these embodiments.
  • the invention method is accomplished using an effective amount of one or more growth factors or cytokines as a means to further enhance the effect of the formula 1 compounds for their intended uses or to modulate their effects.
  • growth factors and cytokines are as described herein or in the cited references.
  • the formula 1 compound when one administers the formula 1 compound to enhance generation of platelets in humansor other subjects, or their precursor cells such as BFU-Mk, CFU-Mk, immature megakaryocites or mature postmitotic megakaryocites, one can also administer one or more of G-CSF, GM-CSF, SCF, Steel factor ("SF"), leukemia inhibitory factor ("LIF”), interkeukin-1 ⁇ , (“IL-1 ⁇ ”), IL-3, IL-6, IL-11, TPO, EPO, their isoforms, their derivatives (e.g., linked to a PEG or fusions such as PIXY321) or their homologs for other species.
  • G-CSF G-CSF
  • GM-CSF SCF
  • Steel factor SF
  • LIF leukemia inhibitory factor
  • IL-1 ⁇ interkeukin-1 ⁇
  • IL-3 interkeukin-1 ⁇
  • IL-6 interkeukin-1 ⁇
  • IL-11 interkeukin-1
  • administering can also administer one or more of G-CSF, GM-CSF, M-CSF, LIF, TPO, SF, interleukin-1 ("IL-1"), IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, interleukin-5 ("IL-5"), IL-6, IL-11, interleukin-12 (“IL-12”), interleukin-13 (“IL-13”), FLT 3 ligand, their isoforms, homologs or derivatives (e.g., linked to a PEG or fusions such as PIXY321) or their homologs for other species.
  • G-CSF G-CSF
  • GM-CSF IL-1, IL-3, IL-6
  • TPO TPO
  • EPO EPO
  • transforming growth factor- ⁇ 1 their isoforms
  • derivatives e.g., linked to a PEG or fusions such as PIXY321
  • homologs for other species. See, e.g., Hematology - Basic Principles and Practice, 3rd edition, R. Hoffman, E.J. Benz Jr.
  • the co-administration of such factors in these methods is intended to enhance the efficacy of the formula 1 compound treatment, which is optionally measured by taking suitable blood or tissue, e.g., bone marrow, samples at one or more times before and after the compounds have been administered.
  • suitable blood or tissue e.g., bone marrow
  • Such co-administration will generally be compatible with a subject's condition and other therapeutic treatments.
  • Co-administration of such factors can precede, be simultaneous with, or follow the times of administration of the formula 1 compound(s) to the subject.
  • Dosages of such growth factors would generally be similar to those previously described, e.g., typically an initial course of treatment comprises administering about 1.0 to about 20 ⁇ g/kg/d for about 1-10 days, or as described in, e.g., Hematology - Basic Principles and Practice, 3rd edition, R. Hoffman, E.J. Benz Jr. et al., editors, Churchill Livingstone, New York, 2000 (see, e.g., Chapter 51 at pages 939-979 and the references cited there in).
  • the invention contemplates that the other therapy will continue, if this is reasonable under the circumstances.
  • the timing of other therapies can precede, be simultaneous with, or follow the times of administration of the formula 1 compound(s) to the subject.
  • chemotherapy for some malignancies is accompanied by myelosuppression or a deficiency in one or more blood cell types, e.g., TP or NP.
  • TP or NP blood cell types
  • Continued treatment would be called for in some cases, and then the invention methods would be employed to deliver to the subject an effective amount of a formula 1 compound.
  • alkylating agents such as one or more of mechlorethamine, vincristine, vinblastine, bleomycin, doxorubicin, epirubicin, tamoxifen, cyclophosphamide, etoposide, methotrexate, ifosfamide, melphalan, chlorambucil, busulfan, carmustine, lomustine, streptozocin, dacarbazine, vinorelbine, paclitaxel (taxol), docetaxel, cytosine arabinoside, hydroxyurea, fludarabine, 2'-chlorodeoxyadenosine, 2'-deoxycoformycin, 6-thioguanine, 6-mercaptopurine, 5-azacytidine, gemcitabine, arabinofuranosylguanine, daunorubicin, mitoxantrone
  • platinum compounds such as one or more of mechlorethamine, vincristine, vinblastine,
  • Treatments with other therapeutic agents such as heparin or nucleoside analogs such as 3-thiacytosine, azidothymidine or dideoxycytosine, or other antimicrobials such as cephalosporin, quinine, quinidine, gold salts (e.g., aurothioglucose), ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin, fluconazole, fusidic acid, gentamycin, nalidixic acid, penicillins, pentamidine, rifampicin, sulfa antibiotics, suramin or vancomycin may result in a blood cell deficiency(s) and they can thus be combined with administration of a formula 1 compound to treat the deficiency, or to ameliorate a symptom thereof.
  • other therapeutic agents such as heparin or nucleoside analogs such as 3-thiacytosine, azidothymidine or dideoxycytosine, or other antimicrobials such as cephalosporin,
  • anti-inflammatory drugs e.g., salicylates
  • cardiac drugs e.g., digitoxin
  • ⁇ -blockers or antihypertensive drugs e.g., oxprenolol or captopril
  • diuretics e.g., spironolactone
  • benzodiazepines e.g., diazepam
  • antidepressants e.g., amitriptyline, doxepin.
  • Any of these methods also optionally include co-administration of one or more of the growth factors described above, e.g., IL-3, G-CSF, GM-CSF or TPO.
  • the activity or numbers of neutrophils or monocytes is enhanced by co-administering the formula 1 compound with an neutrophil or monocyte stimulator, which is an non-protein agent or molecule that can stimulate the activity or number of neutrophils or monocytes in a subject.
  • an neutrophil or monocyte stimulator which is an non-protein agent or molecule that can stimulate the activity or number of neutrophils or monocytes in a subject.
  • Means to accomplish this include administering an effective amount of a formula 1 compound and an effective amount of one or more of lithium, e.g., in the form of a salt such as lithium carbonate or chloride, deuterium oxide, levamisole (an antihelminthic agent), lactoferrin, thyroxine, tri-iodothyromine, anthrax toxin, ascorbic acid, I-palmitoyl-lysophosphatidic acid, a calcium ionophore, e.g., A23187, cytochalasin B, sodium butyrate, piracetamine, micronized L-arginine, hydroxyurea and a bacterial lipopolysaccharide.
  • a salt such as lithium carbonate or chloride, deuterium oxide, levamisole (an antihelminthic agent), lactoferrin, thyroxine, tri-iodothyromine, anthrax toxin, ascorbic acid, I-pal
  • the neutrophil or monocyte stimulator can be administered at various time relative to administration of the formula 1 compound, including about 2-4 hours to about 1 or 2 weeks before administering the formula 1 compound and including administration that is essentially simultaneous with administering the formula 1 compound.
  • a neutrophil or monocyte stimulator will be dosed according to known methods, including daily dosing of about 0.01 mg/kg/day to about 25 mg/kg/day.
  • about 1 g/day of ascorbic acid e.g., about 0.5 to about 1.5 g/day
  • liquid aqueous formulations may comprise a formula 1 compound and duterium oxide in place of some or all of the water.
  • Naturally occurring water contains approximately 1 part of deuterium oxide per 6500 parts water.
  • the water present in a formulation may comprise, e.g., at least 1 part D 2 O in 6000 parts H 2 O, or at least 1 part in 100 parts, or about 50 parts or more per 100 parts of water.
  • These aqueous formulations may comprise one or more additional excipients such as a cyclodextrin such as ⁇ -hydroxypropylcyclodextrin.
  • Formulations comprising cyclodextrin and deuterium oxide, or comprising cyclodextrin, deuterium oxide and water may thus comprise deuterium oxide in an amount greater than 1 part per 6500 parts water, such as 1 part deuterium oxide per 1 - 100 parts water, e.g., 50 parts deuterium oxide per 100 parts water.
  • the amount of cyclodextrin can be in the range of from about 2 to about 85 grams per liter of water and/or deuterium oxide, such as in the range of from about 5 to about 70 grams per liter of water and/or deuterium oxide, one example of a suitable amount being in the range of about 45 grams per liter of water and/or deuterium oxide.
  • the subject's blood can be drawn on one, two or more occasions in advance of treatment to, e.g., obtain a baseline or initial level of white or red blood cells, to verify a presumptive diagnosis of a blood cell deficiency or to determine a blood parameter such as circulating myelomonocyte counts, circulating neutrophil counts, circulating platelet counts or the myeloperoxidase index. Then, during the course of treatment or thereafter the subject's blood can be drawn on one, two or more occasions to follow the subject's response.
  • the formula 1 compounds are believed to be effective in facilitating release of myeloperoxidase from granulated neutrophils.
  • the enzyme generates free hydrogen peroxide.
  • Some of the formula 1 compounds e.g., compounds with a halogen such as bromine or iodine at, e.g., the 16 position, can be metabolized to provide a source of halogen.
  • the released halogen can react with hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) to generate hypohalogenous acid such as hypobromous acid (HOBr).
  • exemplary compounds include a halogenated formula 1 compound such as 16-bromoepiandrosterone.
  • a halogen salt e.g., KBr, NaBr, KI or Nal
  • the halogen source can be administered to a subject as a component in a formulation that comprises a formula 1 compound or it can be administered separately.
  • Hypohalogenous acid is a potent antimicrobial agent, which may be effective in reducing pathogens in the circulatory system of subjects with a blood cell deficiency who also have a pathogen infection. Hypohalogenous acid that is generated in vivo would provide benefits to such subject as shown by, e.g., a reduced quantitative circulating viral or bacterial culture measurement, without the toxicity that is normally associated with its direct administration to a subject.
  • Invention embodiments include methods that comprise administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a formula 1 compound and an effective amount of at least one form of interferon, such as ⁇ -Interferon or a growth factor or interleukin such as G-CSF or IL-6.
  • Interferons can enhance the biological activity of the white cells that arise from increased hemopoiesis. This can be particularly useful when the subject's circulating blood cell deficiency is associated with, e.g., an infection or a chemotherapy that suppresses hemopoiesis.
  • Administration of an growth factor or an interleukin such as IL-6 can facilitate hemopoiesis by stimulating quiescent stem cells or other progenitors that give rise to deficient cell types.
  • Related embodiments replace growth factor or interferon administration partially or completely by increasing endogenous production in the subject using conventional methods, e.g., administering double stranded RNA to stimulate ⁇ -IFN.
  • ⁇ -IFN For cases where ⁇ -IFN is administered, the administration is usually relatively constant, e.g., daily. This is because in patients in whom ⁇ -IFN is not generated endogenously in significant amounts, there is a tendency for levels of ⁇ -IFN to drop relatively quickly, i.e., within one day. In other words, in a patient in whom initially, ⁇ -IFN levels are close to zero, it should be administered in an amount which is effective to bring ⁇ -IFN levels to within normal levels, e.g., up to 10 nanograms per milliliter, and a similar amount of ⁇ -IFN should be administered each day thereafter.
  • normal levels e.g., up to 10 nanograms per milliliter
  • ⁇ -IFN Suitable forms of ⁇ -IFN and their biological properties and methods to obtain them have been described, see, e.g., U.S. patents 4,289,690 , 4,314,935 , 4,382,027 , 4,376,821 ; 4,376,822 , 4,460,685 , 4,604,284 and 5,145,677 , European patent publication nos. EP 063,482 EP 088 540 , and EP 087 686 , N. Fujii et al., J. Immunol., 1983 130:1683-86 . A. Zlotnick et al., J. Immunol. 1983 131:794-80 , M. deLey et al., Eur. J. Immunol.
  • administration of the formula 1 compound is optionally accompanied by administration of an agent that can inhibit ⁇ -glutamylcysteine synthetase in the subject.
  • an agent that can inhibit ⁇ -glutamylcysteine synthetase in the subject can enhance the capacity of the formula 1 compounds to inhibit replication of pathogens or to sensitize pathogens to metabolites derived from the formula 1 compounds.
  • Suitable ⁇ -glutamylcysteine synthetase inhibitors include buthionine-sulfoximine (BSO), which may be in the form of, e.g., L-buthionine-S-sulfoximine or L-buthionine-R-sulfoximine.
  • BSO butylated hydroxy anisole
  • halogenated formula 1 compounds e.g. 16-bromoepiandrosterone
  • the effects of hypohalogenous acid can be enhanced by the administration of an inhibitor of ⁇ - glutamylcysteine synthetase, such as BSO, which, as discussed herein, can render infected cells more susceptible to hypohalogenous acid.
  • Some compounds that inhibit ⁇ -glutamylcysteine synthetase have significant toxicity toward at least some subjects. Such compounds are suitable for this purpose if such toxicity can be counteracted or kept to levels which are acceptable.
  • Such compounds include pentathionine-sulfoximine, hexathionine-sulfoximine, heptathionine-sulfoximine, prothionine-sulfoximine and methionine sulfoximine. When these compounds are used, they are used in amounts that limits their toxicity.
  • a treatment may be interrupted briefly or for extended periods of time.
  • the reason for such interruption can be any of a wide variety, e.g., patient non-compliance, apparent improvement in a subject's condition or by design. Any such interruption would not take a regimen outside the scope of the present invention.
  • a patient might miss a day or several days of administration.
  • the regimen might call for administration of one or more compounds for one or more day, and then non-administration of the one or more compounds for one or more day, and then resumption of the administration of the one or more compounds.
  • a regimen according to the present invention can be altered in view of a patient's current condition, and can continue for any length of time, including the entire subject's lifetime.
  • Dosages of the formula 1 compounds and the other therapeutuic agents described herein are suitably determined depending on the individual case. Factors that affect dosing include a subject's symptoms, age, sex and the route of administration.
  • the amount of a therapeutic agent that is incorporated into a pharmaceutical formulation varies with the dosage form, solubility and chemical properties of the compound, administration route, administration scheme and the like.
  • An effective amount for a particular patient may vary depending on factors such as the condition being treated, the overall health of the patient, the method route and dose of administration and the severity of side effects. Dosages should be varied according to side effects (if any) and blood cell counts, which may be monitored frequently, e.g., every several days or at longer intervals such as weekly or monthly. In some aspects, the dose begins with an amount somewhat less than the optimum dose and it is increased by small increments thereafter until the desired or optimum effect is achieved.
  • a volume of about 1 mL of a solid or liquid sublingual formulation that comprises about 100 micrograms of ⁇ -IFN may be used.
  • An exemplary liquid formulation comprises a saline solution containing 45 weight % ⁇ -hydroxypropylcyclodextrin. It would be expected that such a dosage would provide in the range of 30 to 40 micrograms of ⁇ -IFN to the patient's blood.
  • Such sublingual formulations would be held under the patient's tongue for a period of time sufficient to allow some or all of the ⁇ -IFN to be delivered to the patient while held under the patient's tongue.
  • ⁇ -IFN administration of ⁇ -IFN must be by injection, e.g., subcutaneous injection.
  • Subcutaneous injection of ⁇ -IFN is associated with unwanted side effects, including fatigue, headache, night sweats, fever, local pain at the injection site, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and others.
  • the above-described sublingual ⁇ -IFN formulations of the present invention is an aspect of the present invention, which can be of use in accordance with other aspects of the present invention as described herein. In general, however, a wide variety of routes of administration could be employed for ⁇ -IFN in accordance with the present invention, including those disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,145,677 .
  • the formula 1 compound is present in a formulation that comprises both micronized and non-micronized matereial.
  • micronized means that the compound has been micronized in accordance with any process for micronizing, a number of which are known in the art.
  • the micronized particles preferably include a percentage which are less than about 10 ⁇ m in diameter, typically 5 ⁇ m or less.
  • at least about 80% of the formula 1 compound in a formulation of micronized comprises particles have a diameter of less than 5 microns.
  • An alternative to micronizing a compound is to solubilize the compound and incorporate it into liposomes of appropriate size. The manufacture of liposomes and the insertion of active ingredients into such liposomes are well known in the art.
  • Methods to make invention formulations usually include the step of contacting a formula 1 compound with an excipient(s).
  • the formulations are prepared by uniformly and intimately bringing into association the compound with liquid excipients or finely divided solid excipients or both, and then shaping the product as appropriate.
  • Methods to make formulations and unit dosage forms suitable for the methods disclosed herein are generally known. See, e.g., Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mack Publishing Co., Easton, PA 1985, 17th editi on, Nema et al., PDA J.Pharm. Sci. Tech. 1997 51:166-171 , G. Cole, et al., editors, Pharmaceutical Coating Technology, 1995, Taylor & Francis, ISBN 0 136628915 , H.A.
  • formulations suitable for oral administration are prepared as discrete units such as capsules, cachets or tablets each containing a predetermined amount of an active ingredient, e.g., a formula 1 compound, an interferon and/or an interleukin .
  • Such formulations may comprise a powder, granules, a solution or a suspension in an aqueous liquid, a non-aqueous liquid or as an oil-in-water liquid emulsion or a water-in-oil liquid emulsion.
  • the active ingredient(s) may also be presented as a bolus, electuary or paste.
  • a tablet or capsule may be made made by compression or molding, optionally with one or more excipients. Tablets may be prepared by compressing in a suitable machine a formula 1 compound in a free-flowing form such as a powder or granules, optionally mixed with a binder, lubricant, inert diluent, preservative, surface active or dispersing agent.
  • a formula 1 compound in a free-flowing form such as a powder or granules, optionally mixed with a binder, lubricant, inert diluent, preservative, surface active or dispersing agent.
  • Exemplary excipients for formulations such as tablets or parenteral solutions include lactose, sucrose, dextrose, a cellulose such as a microcrystalline cellulose or carboxymethyl cellulose, a lubricant such as magnesium stearate, a preservative such as EDTA, a starch such as corn starch and an ⁇ -, ⁇ - or ⁇ -cyclodextrin such as hydroxypropyl- ⁇ -cyclodextrin.
  • Molded tablets may be made by molding in a suitable machine a mixture of the powdered active ingredient(s) moistened with an inert liquid diluent.
  • the tablets may optionally be coated or scored and optionally are formulated so as to provide slow or controlled release of the active ingredient(s) therefrom.
  • Formulations suitable for parenteral administration include aqueous sterile injection solutions which may contain anti-oxidants, buffers, bacteriostats and solutes which render the formulation isotonic with the blood of the intended recipient.
  • Aqueous and non-aqueous sterile suspensions optionally include suspending agents, thickening agents or complexing agents, including an ⁇ -, ⁇ - or ⁇ -cyclodextrin such as hydroxypropyl- ⁇ -cyclodextrin.
  • Parenteral formulations may comprise a powder or granular material that contains a formula 1 compound and optionally one or more additional excipients, which is dispensed in a suitable container, e.g., a sterile hermetically sealed vial, to which one or more liquid excipients are added.
  • a suitable container e.g., a sterile hermetically sealed vial, to which one or more liquid excipients are added.
  • the formulations are presented in unit-dose or multi-dose containers, for example sealed ampules and vials, and may be stored in a freeze-dried (lyophilized) condition requiring only the addition of the sterile liquid excipient, for example water for injection, immediately prior to use.
  • sterile liquid excipient for example water for injection
  • Extemporaneous injection solutions and suspensions are prepared from sterile powders, granules and tablets of the kind previously described.
  • Preferred unit dosage formulations are those containing a daily dose or unit daily sub-dose, as herein above recited, or an appropriate fraction thereof.
  • Invention formulations include controlled release pharmaceutical formulations containing an active ingredient(s) ("controlled release formulations") in which the release of the active ingredient(s) is controlled and regulated to allow less frequency dosing or to improve the pharmacokinetic or toxicity profile of a given active ingredient(s).
  • an effective dose of active ingredient(s) depends at least on the nature of the condition being treated, toxicity, whether the compound(s) is being used prophylactically (lower doses) or against an active infection or condition, the method of delivery, and the pharmaceutical formulation, and will be determined by the clinician using conventional dose escalation studies. It can be expected to be from about 0.05 to about 30 mg/kg body weight for a daily dosage.
  • the daily candidate dose for an adult human of approximately 70 kg body weight will typically range from about 3 mg to about 1200 mg, generally between about 10 mg and about 350 mg, and may take the form of a single dose or multiple subdoses using one or several administration routes or sites.
  • Solid or liquid unit dosages may comprise about 10 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg, 400 mg or 500 mg of a formula 1 compound.
  • Dosages for oral administration and parenteral administration will generally comprise about 10 to about 1000 mg/day of a formula 1 compound.
  • the formula 1 compounds can be administered daily or intermittently, i.e., dosing on one day, followed by no dosing for at least a day and then repeated dosing after that.
  • An exemplary regimen is a weekly schedule where dosing is every other day for 3 doses, followed by no dosing for 2 days and then optionally followed by dosing is every other day for 3 doses again.
  • Daily dosing regimens include dosing for 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or more consecutive days, optionally followed by no dosing for 1, 2, 3, 4 or more days (or about 4 to about 24 weeks) and then a repeated dosing for 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or more consecutive days.
  • the subject receives 1-5 daily formula 1 compound doses in the first week of treatment, followed by no dosing with a formula 1 comopound for about 1-30 weeks, typically about 4-20 weeks, and this is then optionally followed by another week with 1-5 daily doses.
  • dosing of the formula 1 compound may be tapered off over a period of days or several weeks, e.g., each week after the initial dosing regimen is complete, the daily dose is reduced by about 25-50% and this is administered for a week, optionally followed by another week of dosing with a further 25-50% reduced daily dose.
  • formulations of this invention may include agents or excipients that are conventional in the art having regard to the type of formulation in question, for example those suitable for oral administration may include flavoring agents.
  • the invention further provides for the use of veterinary compositions that comprise at least one formula 1 compound together with a veterinary excipient(s) therefor.
  • veterinary excipients are materials useful for the purpose of administering the composition and may be solid, liquid or gaseous materials that are otherwise inert or acceptable in the veterinary art and are compatible with the formula 1 compound(s). These veterinary compositions may be administered orally, parenterally or by any other desired route.
  • Formulations that comprise a liposome or lipid complex that comprises a formula 1 compound(s), are also invention embodiments for treating subjects suffering from a blood cell deficiency such as TP or NP.
  • Such formulations are prepared according to known methods, e.g., U.S. patents 4427649 , 5043165 , 5714163 , 5744158 , 5783211 , 5795589 , 5795987 , 5798348 , 5811118 , 5820848 , 5834016 and 5882678 .
  • the liposomes optionally contain an additional therapeutic agent(s), e.g., amphotericin B, cis-platin, adriamycin, a protease inhibitor, a nucleoside analog or a nucleotide analog, such as one of the agents mentioned herein.
  • the liposomes can be delivered to a subject by any standard route, e.g., oral, aerosol or parenteral (e.g., i.v.) administration.
  • Liposome formulations can be used to enhance delivery of the formula 1 compound(s) to certain cell types such as tumor cells (see e.g., U.S. patent 5714163 ) or to cells of the reticuloendothelial system ("RES").
  • RES reticuloendothelial system
  • the RES includes macrophages, mononuclear phagocytic cells, cells lining the sinusoids of the spleen, lymph nodes, and bone marrow, and the fibroblastic reticular cells of hematopoietic tissues.
  • Example 1 Enhanced hemopoiesis in mammals with immune injury from radiation exposure . Animal experiments are used to demonstrate the effect of formula 1 compounds on hemopoiesis after immune system injury due to radiation. Hemopoiesis in the murine immune system after radiation is optionally examined because of the similar responses of murine and human hemopoiesis to drugs and toxic insults (see, e.g., J.H. Hendry and B.I. Lord, editors, Radiation toxicology: Bone marrow and leukaemia 1995 Taylor & Francis Inc., Lond on).
  • mice In an exemplary protocol, B6D2F1/J female mice (Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME), 18-24 weeks of age, 22-30 g body weight, are obtained and held in quarantine for two weeks. Up to 10 mice are housed in sanitized 46 x 24 x 15 cm polycarbonate boxes with filter covers (Microlsolator; Lab Products, Inc, Maywood, NJ) on autoclaved hardwood chip bedding. Mice are given feed and acidified (pH 2.5) water freely. The animal holding room is maintained with conditioned fresh air at approximately 21 °C and 50° ( ⁇ 10%) relative humidity and with a 12-h light/dark full spectrum lighting cycle.
  • mice are placed in ventilated Plexiglas containers and exposed bilaterally to gamma-radiation from a 60 Co source. Exposure time is adjusted so that each animal received a midline tissue-absorbed dose of 1-12 Gy at a nominal dose rate of 0.4 Gy/min at ambient temperature. Using a standardized technique, the midline dose rate is measured by placing a 0.5 cc tissue-equivalent ionization chamber at the center of a 2.5-cm diameter cylindrical acrylic mouse phantom. The tissue-air ratio, defined as the ratio of the dose rate measured in the phantom to the dose rate in free air, for this array is about 0.96. Variation within the exposure field is less than about 4%.
  • Dosimetric measurements are made in accordance with the American Association of Physicists in Medicine protocol for the determination of absorbed dose from high-energy photon and electron beams ( Med. Phys. 1983 10:741-771 ). Sham-irradiated mice are treated in the same way as the irradiated animals, except that the animals are not irridiated.
  • Various formula 1 compounds e.g., compounds such as those in the compound groups described herein are formulated with a suitable vehicle (e.g., PEG-400) or sterile 0.9% NaCl (saline) optionally containing other excipients such as a cyclodextrin.
  • a suitable vehicle e.g., PEG-400
  • sterile 0.9% NaCl saline
  • other excipients such as a cyclodextrin.
  • the compounds are injected subcutaneously in a volume of about 0.1 mL or they are delivered orally or they are administered by another route. Doses typically range from about 1 mg/kg to about 350 mg/kg, e.g., about 1, 10, 20, 40, 80, 160 or 320 mg/ kg.
  • Blood (0.6-1.0 mL) is obtained from halothane-anesthetized mice by cardiac puncture using a heparinized syringe attached to a 21-gauge needle. Blood is collected in EDTA-containing sample tubes. Mice are euthanized by cervical dislocation after blood collection.
  • White blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC) and platelet (PLT) counts are performed using, e.g., a Hematology System 9000 (Biochem Immunosystems). Wright-stained blood smears from the same samples are made for differential counts of neutrophils and lymphocytes by light microscopy.
  • Hemopoietic progenitor cells committed to granulocyte-macrophage differentiation are assayed by a single-layer modification of a double-layer semisolid agar technique essentially as described ( Patchen et al. Adv. Space Res. 1992 12:223-248 ).
  • femoral marrow is extracted and cell suspensions are prepared by flushing with 3 mL of McCoy's 5A medium containing 10% heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum (HIFBS; Hyclone, Logan, UT).
  • HIFBS heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum
  • Each cell suspension represented a pool of marrow from four femurs, i.e., both femurs from each of two mice.
  • the total number of nucleated cells in each suspension is determined with, e.g., a Coulter counter.
  • the agar-medium mixture consisted of equal volumes of 0.66% agar and double-strength supplemented CMRL 1066 medium (Gibco, Grand Island, NY). The medium is supplemented with final concentrations of 10% HIFBS, 5% tryptic soy broth, 5% heat-inactivated horse serum, antibiotics, and L-serine.
  • One milliliter of the agar-medium mixture is added to each 35-mm plastic Petri dish (two dishes per suspension) and mixed with 50 ⁇ L of 0.1 ng/ ⁇ L recombinant mouse GM-CSF (Genzyme, Cambridge, MA).
  • Cell suspensions are then mixed into the agar-medium mixture to a final concentration of 0.5 x 10 5 cells/mL for unirradiated animals, and 1.0 x 10 5 or 1.5 x 10 5 cells/mL for irradiated animals to ensure sufficient colonies per plate for quantitation. Control experiments are done to confirm linearity of colonies at cell concentrations of 0.5-1.5 x 10 5 cells/ mL. Colonies (> 50 cells) are counted after seven days incubation in a 37 °C humidified environment containing 5% CO 2 . The average of the counts for the two dishes is taken as the value for each pool. About six animals are used per group in each of two experiments.
  • mice For histological examination of myeloid hyperplasia in bone marrow after administration of the formula 1 compound, mice are euthanized with halothane, tissues are immersed in formalin, bones are decalcified and routine H&E-stained 6- ⁇ m paraffin sections are prepared.
  • the optical density of bacterial growth is monitored with a spectrophotometer at a wavelength of 550 nm. Late log-phase cells are ished and suspended in cold saline to yield 10 9 viable bacteria per mL. Appropriate dilutions for inoculations are made in cold saline.
  • mice are injected sc with K. pneumoniae four days after sham-irradiation or irradiation when circulating leukocytes are depressed. Mice are inoculated sc rather than iv or ip, to establish infection leading to sepsis, but not rapid septic shock. After sc inoculations of K . pneumoniae in the mice, the infection remains largely localized to the injection site. K. pneumoniae are not detectable in blood of inoculated mice until a few hours before death.
  • Different doses of the bacteria are inoculated for each of three radiation dose levels (0, 1 or 3 Gy) to approximate the LD 95/30 , because the effects of radiation on hemopoiesis and susceptibility to infection are dependent on the dose of radiation.
  • the LD 95/30 for bacteria at each radiation dose is calculated from probit analysis. The actual doses are estimated by dilution plating of inocula onto Trypticase Soy Agar and incubating overnight at 35 °C. Since different bacterial doses are expected to be needed for different radiation doses, the LD 95/30 is estimated for each group and different mortality rates are observed in the vehicle-injected control groups. Bacterial doses for induced-infection experiments are prepared and calculated in the same manner.
  • mice are checked frequently, e.g., once or twice daily, six or seven days per week, to monitor survival and to euthanize mice that are in a moribund state.
  • heart blood from recently deceased animals or moribund animals euthanized by cervical dislocation
  • Columbia sheep blood agar plates Becton-Dickinson, Sparks, MD.
  • Colonies are identified as K. pneumoniae by a suitable means, e.g., Biolog analysis.
  • mice are exposed to bilateral whole-body gamma-radiation and receive a dose of 3 Gy (or are sham-irradiated).
  • 3 Gy or are sham-irradiated.
  • mice are injected with 320 mg/kg AED or PEG-400 vehicle.
  • blood cell elements e.g., neutrophils, GM-CFC and platelets are generally determined. Irradiation results in a decrease in neutrophils at about four days after radiation compared to sham-irradiated animals.
  • Example 2 Enhanced hemopoiesis in mammals with immune injury from radiation exposure .
  • C57BU6J male mice six week old are obtained from Jackson Bar Harbor Laboratory. Animals are weighed for three consecutive times to ascertain that they are gaining weight prior to experimentation. Animals are exposed to whole body irradiation of 6 to 8 Gy depending on the experiments, using, e.g., JL Sheperd & Associates Mark 68 137 CS gamma unit. A single or several daily subcutaneous injections of a formula 1 compound is administered to the animals. Animals in survival experiments are monitored for about 21 days.
  • a sublethal dose of about 2.0 X 10 2 pfu/mouse of human coxsackievirus B4 is administered to the animals to test for the capacity of the formula 1 compounds to enhance hemopoiesis and immune function.
  • This virus dose is administered by e.g., intraperitoneal or subcutaneous injection about 1 to about 48 hours before or after whole body radiation exposure.
  • Spleen and bone marrow preparation are stained for either one or two color FACS analysis essentially as described (e.g., M.E. Payette et al., J. Immunol. 1999 163:223 ).
  • Fluorescence activated cell sorting analysis is performed over a period of, e.g., about 21 days on spleen and bone marrow cells of mice exposed to about 6 Gy whole body irradiation and treated with a formula 1 compound and compared with untreated irradiated animals.
  • Spleen cells are stained for cells such as CD4 + and CD8 + cells while bone marrow cells are stained for, e.g., CD11b /Mac-1 and B200.
  • Example 3 Enhancement of hemopoiesis in a human patient .
  • a patient infected with the HIV virus was treated with 16 ⁇ -bromoepiandrosterone ("BrEA"), using a physiological saline formulation containing 10 mg/mL of BrEA in solution, 36% w/v hydroxypropyl- ⁇ -cyclodextrin and 20 mg/ mL of micronized BrEA in suspension.
  • the patient received two courses of treatment. The first course consisted of subcutaneous injection once per day of 80 mg of BrEA for 10 days. The second course of treatment commenced 74 days later and used the same formulation, except that deuterium oxide replaced water in the formulation.
  • the second treatment course consisted of subcutaneous injection once per day of 80 mg of BrEA for 15 days.
  • Example 4 Parenteral formulation comprising micronized and non-micronized formula 1 compound. To1 L of physiological saline was added 450 g of hydroxypropyl- ⁇ -cyclodextrin to obtain a clear solution, which was brought to a volume of 1250 mL with saline. 12.5 g of 16 ⁇ -bromoepiandrosterone was then added and the solution was stirred for 2 hours with a magnetic mixer. The solution was filter sterilized and 25 g of sterile micronized (average particle diameter of about 5 ⁇ m) 16 ⁇ -bromoepiandrosterone was added.
  • the solution was stirred for 20 hours at medium speed to obtain a solution with micronized material 16 ⁇ -bromoepiandrosterone in suspension and non-micronized material in solution.
  • the solution Prior to use the solution is shaken and dispensed into sealed sterile vials for storage or it is directly dispensed into a syringe for immediate use by injection.
  • a variation of this protocol would substitute duterium oxide for some or all of the water.
  • Other variations would utilize a different formula 1 compound such as one of those named herein.
  • Example 5 Non-aqueous parenteral formulation containing a formula 1 compound .
  • a formulation comprising 100 mg/mL 16 ⁇ -bromoepiandrosterone ("BrEA"), ⁇ 30% v/v PEG300, 30% v/v propylene glycol, 30% v/v benzyl benzoate and 2% v/v benzyl alcohol is prepared by suspending BrEA in polyethylene glycol 300, and sequentially adding propylene glycol and benzyl benzoate, to form a solution, which is diluted to the final desired volume with additional propylene glycol.
  • BrEA 16 ⁇ -bromoepiandrosterone
  • the calculated amount of polyethylene glycol 300 is added to a compounding vessel. Then, while mixing, the calculated amount of BrEA is added to the vessel, and mixed for at least 5 minutes to form a smooth, creamy liquid propylene glycol is added to the vessel, and mixed for a minimum of 5 minutes to form a uniform suspension. The calculated amount of benzyl benzoate is added to the vessel, and mixed for approximately 5 minutes to form a translucent liquid suspension. Propylene glycol is then added to achieve the desired final formulation, and mixed for approximately 5 minutes. The drug solution is transferred to a volume dispensing device set to deliver 1.2 mL per vial.
  • the solution is filtered through two 0.2 ⁇ m) polyvinylidene fluoride filters in series into 2 cc amber glass vials.
  • the vials are capped with Teflon-coated, butyl-rubber stoppers and crimp sealed.
  • Example 6 Subcutaneous formulation .
  • a BrEA formulation is prepared essentially as described above. The formulation contains 50 mg/mL BrEA, 40% v/v PEG 200, 2% v/v benzyl alcohol, 2% v/v benzyl benzoate and - 66% v/v propylene glycol (qs). The formulation is particularly suitable for subcutaneous administration of BrEA.
  • Example 7 Preparation of BrEA hemihydrate - procedure 1 .
  • Crude BrEA is prepared by bromination of epiandrosterone, followed by crystallization from methanol.
  • BrEA hemihydrate, i.e., (BrEA) 2 .H 2 O is prepared by dissolving 25 g of crude BrEA in 75 mL of refluxing ethanol with moderate agitation.
  • To the BrEA solution 12.5 mL of water is slowly added while maintaining the solution at reflux with agitation. Agitation of the solution is maintained and the solution is then allowed to cool to about 20-25°C and kept at about 20-25°C for about 15 minutes to obtain a suspension of BrEA hemihydrate crystals.
  • the crystals are recovered by filtration, ished with a solution of 25 mL of water:ethanol (5:1 v/v) at about 20-25°C and then vacuum dried for about 13 hours at 50-60°C until the product weight is constant.
  • the crystals are primarily rod and needle shaped, with smaller amounts of other shapes such as tablets.
  • Example 8 Preparation of BrEA hemihydrate - procedure 2 .
  • the hemihydrate is prepared by dissolving 10 g of crude BrEA in 40 mL of refluxing acetone with moderate agitation.
  • To the BrEA solution 4.0 mL of water is slowly added while maintaining the solution at reflux with agitation. Agitation of the solution is maintained and the solution is then allowed to cool to about 20-25°C and kept at about 20-25°C for about 15 minutes to obtain a suspension of BrEA hemihydrate crystals.
  • the crystals are recovered by filtration, washed with a solution of 6.0 mL of water:acetone (10:1 v/v) at about 20-25°C and then vacuum dried overnight (about 13-15 hours) at 50-60°C until the product weight is constant.
  • Example 9 Liposome formulation .
  • Liposomes suitable for parenteral administration are prepared as follows. 400 mg of phosphatidyl choline and 80 mg of BrEA are dissolved in chloroform and methanol (2:1 v/v) and the solution is dried by rotary evaporation under reduced presure. The resulting film is rehydrated by adding 8.0 mL of a 0.9% w/v NaCl solution and agitating the solution. The sizes of the liposomes are optionally measured, e.g., by photon correlation spectroscopy (Malvern Zetasizer 3000 or equivalent).
  • the liposomes are optionally sized by, e.g., sonication to reduce the average size below 400 mn, or by filtration using suitable filters. Similar procedures are used to prepare liposome preparations that contain a formula 1 compound at about 15-100 mg/mL.
  • the formulation is used to deliver the compound orally or parenterally (e.g., intramuscular, intravenoue or subcutaneous).
  • Example 10 BrEA formulation .
  • Two lots of a non-aqueous BrEA formulation are made at a BrEA concentration of 50 mg/mL in 25% v/v polyethylene glycol 300, 12.5% v/v dehydrated ethyl alcohol, 5% v/v benzyl benzoate, and 57.5% v/v propylene glycol essentially as follows.
  • the excipients are as follows. Propylene glycol, USP, Arco Chemical, polyethylene glycol, 300, NF, Union Carbide dehydrated ethanol, USP, McCormick Distilling, benzyl benzoate, USP, Spectrum Pharmaceuticals.
  • the formulation is prepared by suspending BrEA in polyethylene glycol 300, and sequentially adding propylene glycol, benzyl benzoate, and dehydrated ethyl alcohol to form a solution, which is diluted to the final desired volume with additional propylene glycol.
  • An exemplary procedure is described below.
  • the calculated amount of polyethylene glycol 300 is added to a compounding vessel. Then , while mixing, the calculated amount of BrEA is added to the vessel, and mixed for at least 5 minutes to form a smooth, creamy liquid propylene glycol is added to the vessel, and mixed for a minimum of 5 minutes to form a uniform suspension.
  • the calculated amount of benzyl benzoate is added to the vessel, and mixed for approximately 5 minutes to form a translucent liquid suspension.
  • Dehydrated alcohol is added to the vessel, and mixed for approximately 5 minutes to form a clear, colorless solution.
  • Propylene glycol is then added to achieve the desired final formulation, and mixed for approximately 5 minutes.
  • the drug solution is transferred to a volume dispensing device set to deliver 1.2 mL per vial. Under nitrogen pressure, the solution is filtered through two 0.2 ⁇ m polyvinylidene fluoride filters in series into 2 cc amber glass vials, which are then sealed.

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EP00970511A 1999-10-25 2000-09-28 Therapeutic treatments for blood cell deficiencies using sreroids Expired - Lifetime EP1223941B1 (en)

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EP1372664A1 (en) * 2001-03-01 2004-01-02 Hollis-Eden Pharmaceuticals Inc. Use of certain steroids for treatment of blood cell deficiencies
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WO2017004411A1 (en) 2015-07-01 2017-01-05 President And Fellows Of Harvard College Cortistatin analogues and syntheses and uses thereof
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